How conservative or liberal is Mark Warner

[LittleClarkie]

I just read an article, the same one in fact that has Richardson's comments about Dean, in which Warner criticizes the Kerry campaign for never swaying from Democratic Party orthodoxy.

Okay, aside from the Kerry criticism, this would seem to be a slap at the Democratic Party itself, at its "orthodoxy."

So can someone who knows Warner politically tell me if he means Kerry should have been less liberal, more liberal, more populist, more conservative or what, based on where Warner himself stands re: the party?

Because I have a bad feeling, considering he's the Governor of Virginia, that he means that Kerry was too liberal. What did he want, more guns and less gays?

The link:
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0605/234178.html

"A possible 2008 presidential candidate criticized last year's nominee, John Kerry (website - news - bio) , on Tuesday for adhering too rigidly to Democratic Party doctrine.

"One of my critiques of Senator Kerry, and I campaigned hard for Senator Kerry, was I can't tell you where he ever broke with anything in Democratic orthodoxy," Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (website - bio) said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We've got to rethink the way we talk to the American people, what we lay out as to where we're headed."

[livinginphotographs]

1. Warner is pretty much right down the middle, IMO.

He's cool on abortion rights, and from what I remember did a decent job standing up against the predictable anti-gay legislation that swept through Virginia after the fundies got their steroid shot from the 2004 re-election of W. He's very fiscally conservative, though, and got even the Virginia republicans to vote for a slight tax increase to balance the budget after the former governor, Jim Gilmore (R-Naturally), completely fucked the state up with his ridiculous No Car Tax crap.

I'm more a supporter of Warner's run against George Allen in 2006 than a presidential run in 2008, but he's a good guy, overall. We don't exactly expect Dennis Kucinich here in Virginia.

on edit: a breakdown of his positions. http://activote.ontheissues.org/AVA/Governor/Mark_Warner.htm

Quite a few I disagree with, but like I said, we take what we can get down here.

[LittleClarkie]

3. How is he "cool on abortion"

How do you mean "cool": as in slightly frosty or that he has a decent stance on it?

I thought I heard he supported restrictions. Or are they the general restrictions that most people support, re partial birth and parental notification and such?

[livinginphotographs]

5. I'm speaking from memory here,.

Sorry, that's my own personal slang. He's "cool" as in he's not some loony fundie who wants to ban it altogether. He takes a very moderate Dem stance of the "safe, legal, and rare" variety, but is definitely pro-choice.

I should probably check my own link again. :)

[livinginphotographs]

6. Yet another google result...

http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Mark_Warner_Abortion.htm

Mark Warner trusts the women of Virginia to make responsible choices affecting their lives. While Mark opposed the 24-hour waiting period, he supports Virginia law. Mark supports the Roe v. Wade decision that protects a woman’s right to choose, and he’ll fight further efforts to chip away at that right.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues Nov 6, 2001

On edit, prolife.org seems pretty pissed at him, which can't be a bad thing.

[livinginphotographs]

8. One more from another looney conservative site...

http://www.cwfpac.com/press_releases.php?id=102601

While state senator, he voted "no" on the "partial-birth" abortion ban.

He also voted "no" on parental consent (I like him even more the more I research him).

According to this site, he also voted "yes" on special rights to homosexuals, (can I add a :eyes: ).

[livinginphotographs]

9. Sorry to keep bombarding you here.....

But here's one straight from his website.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2003/Mar03/0324c.htm

Good stuff there.

[LittleClarkie]

10. No probs. Thanks for the info

Just what I needed. Sounds like my place of origin is in decent hands. I was born in Norfolk.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Maybe it's just straight talk

Politicians occasionally do indulge themselves.

Kerry probably knows he's not perfect. Ever the gentleman, he probably appreciates the input. (Of course, he can afford to lose some of that "gentleman" stuff!)

--p!

[JI7]

4. he is moderate to conservative leaning

he is who he is. considering he is gov of a conservative leaning state it's not surprising what he said. id idn't really take it as an attack on Kerry. it's what Warner himself would have done and would probably do . but Kerry has different views.

he is an ok guy overall though. i like him .

[BamaLefty]

7. I agree.

Our Lt. Governor and Gov candidate for '06 came out and said that she war pro-choice and voted for John Kerry.

She's running against the "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore... that kind of crap may do her in. :(