Va. Gov. Takes Steps Towards Presidential Run, Warner Forms PAC

[norml]

Va. Gov. Takes Steps Towards Presidential Run
Warner Forms PAC, Hires Former Gore Aide

By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2005; 11:06 AM

RICHMOND, June 10 -- Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) is forming a federal political action committee and has hired a former top aide to Vice President Al Gore to advise him on national politics, the governor's top political aide in Virginia said.

The new PAC, which has not been named, will allow Warner to begin raising money for a possible run at the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 while he finishes out his term in Virginia. The PAC will be announced formally in July or August, said Mary A. "Mame" Reiley, the director of Warner's One Virginia PAC.

Warner has raised millions for One Virginia, which reported a balance of $1.6 million as of April 1. But federal law prohibits the governor from spending money raised in his state PAC on a federal campaign. Virginia does not put limits on campaign contributions from individuals or corporations.

Reiley said Warner, a multi-millionaire who is limited to one term as governor, has also hired Monica Dixon, Gore's former deputy chief of staff, to be the federal PAC's first part-time consultant.





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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061000841.html

[ernstbass]

1. I fear we will be stuck with George Allen now

[JohnKleeb]

2. I do too but Allen has presidential ambitions of his own

[Vadem]

3. He needs to run for the Senate against George Allen.....He will

win it! He needs a little more experience before running for Pres.
We must get Allen out of the Senate!!!!

[ernstbass]

4. I totally agree

Senate first then presidency. And the no. 1 objective - get Allen out!!!

[beachmom]

5. Not so sure on the Senate race

Of course, I would LOVE to see Allen out, but Warner already ran once for the Senate and lost. Back in 1996, it seemed like a good idea for Gov. Bill Weld of Mass. to run against John Kerry for the Senate seat. Not only did he lose, but was pretty much washed up for politics. It's hard to unseat an encumbent, and Allen has the advantage because this is such a red state. As a successful governor and businessman, he may have the creds for the big time. Virginia is, after all, bigger than, oh, I don't know, Arkansas. There are risks with either choice. I'll rely on Warner's careful, analytical thinking on this one.