Gov. Warner, I guess it all depends on what the meaning of "center" is...

[flpoljunkie]

Like the speakers before him, Warner answered students’ questions, too. They included traffic problems along the Hampton parts of Interstate 64, his biggest accomplishment as governor and whether he plans to run for President.

He fielded the presidential question again during the press conference.

“I’m not taking anything off the table or putting anything on the table,” Warner said.

“I will say that I want to be part of the debate to see if we can bring the Democratic Party back to the center. I think this country is way too polarized at this point.”

&oasDN=newsadvance.com&oasPN=%21news%21archive

[iwantmycountryback]

1. I'm becoming increasingly sick of this guy

First "America hates Democrats" than this. He should forget about the Presidency.

[tk2kewl]

2. Wrong Gov'na!

The republic party needs to brought back to the center. Geez. :eyes:

[JHBowden]

3. Judge candidates by their record, not their rhetoric.

Warner has a very strong record in Virginia. He is defining himself as a moderate, which is fine with me.

[flpoljunkie]

7. What is Warner saying here? That if we give up being an opposition party

by moving to the center, we will all be able to get along.

And, at what cost to the American people? If he means Democrats should talk like centrists to get elected, that is one thing, but we don't know what he means.

Contrast Warner's statement with what Jack Vilenti said today in an op-ed in the New York Times:

L.B.J. understood that the role of the opposition was to oppose. Dirksen (and Ford and Halleck) knew that opposing didn't mean you couldn't give a little here and there. Neither surrendered core beliefs. But they both knew that in politics, nothing lasts for long. Mandates fade. Power passes. And majority, as sure as the seasons change, eventually becomes minority.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/24/opinion/24valenti.html?pagewanted=print

[JHBowden]

8. Warner is saying what is needed to get elected.

If you have major problems with his *record*, let me know.

When given a choice between winning and hearing a YEEARGH, many Democrats these days seem to prefer the YEEARGH. I don't get it.
:shrug:

[flpoljunkie]

11. Tell us about his record in Virginia.

[spooky3]

19. VA graded "Best Managed State" after he inherited huge deficit

and ridiculous tax base (25 cent-per pack cigarette tax while surrounding areas charge much more; idiot rethug before him, Gilmore, was elected on the basis of repealing the car tax but Gilforme failed to provide alternative funding for legitimate needs and refused to address transportation nightmare).

http://www.vaexcels.governor.virginia.gov/TempContent/Best_Managed_State.cfm

Warner convinced moderate Rethugs to break from the RWers who dominate the legislature to overhaul the tax system (and they are still being punished for cooperating by their more powerful thuggy leaders). Got the support of the business community to make this happen.

He's pro guns, maybe because in VA you have to be because so much of the state is rural and conservative.

Warner failed to get his transportation tax option passed (local communities would be able to vote in a small sales tax increase to be devoted to transportation). This was due to mostly Rethug opposition and fears that the Richmond Rethugs would not meet their promises to use it on transportation, or provide less in state funding to offset the funds provided by the local taxes, which would defeat the purpose.

His education and other initiatives etc. are on the governor's website.

Here are other reasons why he's praised:

http://results.gpponline.org/StateOverview.aspx?relatedid=1&stateconst=STATE_VA


I agree with you that we need a definition of labels. His "center" may be others' "liberal."

[Lexingtonian]

16. it doesn't work that way these days

Moderates don't make it through the primaries in either party.

When there's a war going on and the bodies are piled high on both sides, you don't vote in the guy who has only short term fixes to offer, wants/needs things done by compromise, and claims to neutrality.

This is true for both sides. The moderate wing of the Democratic Party served The People well in 1995 and 1998/99- its political reason for being was 'negative', though, and amounted to keeping Gingrich Republicanism from going too far. When that was completed The People allowed it to be defeated- isn't that the message of 2000, 2002, and 2004? The 2004 primaries?

Times change. I read that Salon interview and decided the fellow was clever and getting it right for Virginia, but he really doesn't understand the national picture or the game there.

[renaissanceguy]

17. And my problem with this idea...

is that plenty of Dems are already center. What is his center--going more right?!?!

We have good ideas, it's just a matter of how we market them.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744291

[ElectroPrincess]

21. One KEY aspect of Warner is that he is TRUE ...

That is, he give little to NO ammunition for the right wing to effectively attack him.

No, we don't want increased corporation which I wonder if he will be compliant with. However, although he doesn't shine as bright as Bill Clinton, he is a person of good moral character, i.e., he keeps his pants zipped up (sorry Clinton folks).

He has been able to accomplish the "nearly impossible" and actually communicate with the Republicans here in the state of Virginia.

The rabid right wing would be hard pressed to find ammunition for a *believable* whisper campaign if Warner were a Democratic Candidate.

Yes, he just may have been considered a fine moderate republican in days past. However, I'll level with you - I'd gladly take him over another Neo-Con Administration.

Perhaps the above thoughts are "selling out" to the party but Warner is a politician that is respected by MANY moderate republicans. If you want those swing votes, there's the Dem's perfect nominee?

[rock]

4. And then keep pushing it

until it's to the left again.

[autorank]

5. I'm in VA and I love the guy. He has to stop this crap, however.

He just needs to be a kick ass Democrat.

[Ekirh]

10. I agree

I also live in VA I love the Warner also... although I really want him to run for senator and not as president (Just becuase I would rather have Senator Warner than another term of Senator Allen)

But he needs to stop with this crap as you said. I know for a fact he can go into "kick ass mode" and I want to see more of it.

[autorank]

25. I've seen it too and he rocks when he gets going.

I read a Jefferson-Jackson day speech he gave about "Why I'm a Dcmocrat." It was based on FDR and the New Deal.

Wake up Democrats! It's time for some informed populism.

btw, I too hope he retires Sen. Allen. As you know, people with major constituent needs that don't fit into his narrow philosophy know that only Sen. Warner will listen, never Allen.

[welshTerrier2]

6. Back to the center? i assume he means the Party is too far to the right

if Warner is suggesting the Party is too far to the left and he wants to move it even further to the right, i think he'll find a bunch of guys got there way before he did ...

many call them republicans ...

if this is where Warner is coming from, he's DOA ...

[Donna Zen]

9. DOA?

He's got wads of money.

Right now the insiders are pushing and shoving to see who get to be the anti-Hillary. Warner has been pushing very hard. Builderberg meeting=foreign policy.

[welshTerrier2]

12. anyone advocating moving the Party further to the right ...

will not be able to build Party unity (imo) ... if that's what Warner's peddling, i don't think he'll be a successful candidate ...

what's the story on the "Builderberg meeting"? ... i've seen it referenced before but must have dozed off ...

[Donna Zen]

18. The meeting of the Bilderberg

is held in a secret location at least once a year. Somehow the information leaks out, but all in all, it is very difficult to gage just exactly how horrible this group is since they are just secretive enough to hide their agenda.

What we do know:

• They are very rich

• The full membership is unknown but includes Kissinger, & Wolfowitz etal.

• The political and economic state of the world is discussed there

I'm assuming that they are a left-over from an age that spawned many secret organizations: Skull and Bones comes to Mind. To attend if you are not a member, means that a member has invited you. In the case of Warner this year, and Edwards last year, it is assumed that a vetting was in order. Clinton and Gore both made the scene. Hillary Clinton has also attended without Bill. Hollbrooke seems to be a member, or prehaps he just gets invited every year.

Without any transparency, it is difficult to know how powerful or what they do. If they get blamed for every world crisis, they have only themselves to blame. Don't get me wrong, I think that the group bears watching. While wacko theories abound, it is difficult to sort out except to say that this is not a democratic institution.

Bilderberg Wikiperdia

I have a friend who has spent many hours on studying this group...I don't.

[welshTerrier2]

20. thanks, Donna Zen ...

how disturbing is it to see the Clintons hugging and kissing Kissinger ???

when one fears that a shadow government exists and that democracy is little more than a puppet show to assuage the masses, events like this send cold chills up and down my spine ...

How do you now that Gore attended this meeting this year? I was sort of hoping he had come to the light ...

[Donna Zen]

24. Gore did not attend last year.

Gore attended during the Clinton years. Maybe they just get roaring drunk and even more disgusting.

Again, no one knows WTF they do...but that is the problem now, isn't it?

There is definately a shadow government; its called big money. A friend of mine created a show called "Cash Clowns." Perfect! I have two of his pieces in our gallary. No one buys them since they are a little wild for our neck of the woods, but I do love them.

[AntiCoup2K4]

22. He's already met with the Bilderbergers? then FUCK HIM

Enough of those fascist pigs forcing their shit on us.

I DARE any one of those secret society pussies to meet me face to face with no bodyguards. I'll shove a skull and bones right up their secret society ass and turn it sideways.

Fuck Warner, Fuck Edwards, Fuck Kerry, Fuck Hillary, and Fuck Anyone else who is favored by these useless leeches.

[Village Idiot]

13. Didn't Nancy Pelosi recently say...

that America has no need for a second Republican Party?

[welshTerrier2]

14. yes she did ...

also read my .sig line ...

[kentuck]

15. Sorry...i am not impressed with Gov. Warner...

Maybe he could get Harold Ford on the ticket with him... ? They seem to have a lot in common..

[ElectroPrincess]

23. Whoa! Guess I will have to do more research on our Governor ...

He's a deal maker but I received the impression that he's honest. Time for me to do more research. :-)