DENVER
In an untraditional keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner called for a new era of bipartisan cooperation in Washington to solve the country’s problems.
“We need leaders who see our common ground as sacred ground,” he said in a 15-minute speech that was broadcast across the nation Tuesday night. “We need leaders who will appeal to us not as Republicans or Democrats, but first and foremost as Americans.”
He added, “I know we’re at the Democratic convention, but if an idea works, it really doesn’t matter if it has an 'R’ or a 'D’ next to it, because this election is not about liberal versus conservative. It’s not about left versus right. It’s about the future versus the past.”
The awarding of the prime-time speech to Warner was widely considered to be recognition of his growing stature in national circles as a Democrat who can win elections in a fairly conservative state and work across party lines to pass legislation.
Calls for bipartisanship were central to Warner’s election as governor in 2001 and are the thrust of his campaign for the U.S. Senate this year against former Gov. Jim Gilmore, a Republican.
But in the days leading up to his speech, Warner voiced concern that his message might lack the shots at Republicans and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee, that Democratic convention-goers might want.
He was critical of Republicans, but in measured tones. He linked McCain to unpopular policies of President Bush.
“Two wars, a warming planet, an energy policy that says, 'Let’s borrow money from China to buy oil from countries that don’t like us,’” Warner said. “How many people look at these and wonder what the future holds for them? Their children? Their country? How many?
“In George Bush and John McCain’s America, far too many,” he told the cheering crowd in the Pepsi Center.
He said that while some problems facing the nation were unavoidable, Bush exacerbated them with “misguided policies and outdated thinking.”
Warner said his biggest criticism of Bush is that he “never tapped into our greatest resources, the character and resolve of the American people. He never asked us to step up.”
“Think about it,” Warner said . “ After Sept. 11, if there was a call from the president to get us off foreign oil, to stop funding the very terrorists who had just attacked us, every American would have said, 'How can I do my part ?’
“John McCain promises more of the same,” he said, arguing that the GOP candidate would continue Bush policies in Iraq and on the economy. “That’s four more years that we just can’t afford,” he said.
Warner called this year’s presidential fight “the most important contest of our generation” and “the race for the future.”
Warner lauded Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who will accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday, as a leader “who understands the world today and the changes we need.”
He said Obama grasps technology and the need to improve economic opportunity, education and relations with other nations.
“Which candidate understands these opportunities, and which candidate knows we don’t have another four years to waste?” he asked. “Barack Obama.”
Warner’s speech received positive reviews from CNN analysts.
“This was not a barn-burner,” said David Gergen, a former adviser to Republican and Democratic presidents. “It was a different kind of speech, filled with ideas. It’s one of the first times I’ve heard technology and infrastructure mentioned in a speech at a convention.”
Warner, who considered making a presidential bid this year, touted his efforts as governor to win bipartisan support for economic development programs for rural Virginia. He did not mention, however, his key role in pushing through a record $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004.
Gilmore, his opponent in this year’s Senate race, recently reminded Virginians of the tax hike in his toughest attack yet on Warner, put forth in a 30-second video posted on YouTube, a video-sharing site on the Internet.
The video, titled “Notorious Politicians and Their Lies,” panned Warner for breaking a 2001 campaign promise not to raise taxes if he was elected governor.
The video features a rock band shouting the lyrics “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” and short clips of President Nixon saying, “I am not a crook”; of President Clinton denying he had sexual relations with White House intern Monica
Lewinsky; and of Obama denying he was in church when his former pastor made controversial statements about race relations.
The video switches to footage of Warner, in a 2001 gubernatorial debate refuting Republican Mark Earley’s contention that Warner would increase levies. “You’ve got that one-trick pony, and it won’t work,” he told Earley. “The fact is I will not raise taxes.”
Warner has said he was forced to break the vow because state finances were in much worse shape than he knew during the campaign. He blames the problems on poor fiscal management by Gilmore, who preceded him as governor.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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"a pest"
"You can yell all you want about his name calling a pest who videotaped his every move,"
A "pest" he called a racial name, who "followed him around". YOU have got to be kidding. VA doesn't need a racist running for any office.
Wrong choice
Obama should have tapped Mark Warner, not Joe Biden for the VP slot. With that said, I wouldn't vote for any of them for dog catcher let alone POTUS.
Allen?
You might blast Kilgore, but Allen was a great Governor and Senator. You can yell all you want about his name calling a pest who videotaped his every move, but he was the best Governor in Virginia since Robb.
Warner closed the DMV's, put quite a few people out of work, and has never been the leader Allen was.
Your conservative hissy fits don't matter
Mark Warner will be elected to the Senate because the best republican you could come up with is a proven incompetent.
I thought the republican party couldn't get much lower than Kilgore and Allen. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Plain and Simple
Mark Warner lied to the voters of Virginia - Period. No one on this blog can say otherwise. Why did he lie is up to debate but not the fact that he lied.
Read my lips, no new taxes..
They all say that... Show me a politician running for office who states, "If elected, I'll slightly raise taxes" and I'll show you an instant loser. What do you think they're going to say? What did you think Warner was going to say at the DNC about B.O. that he's not the one? (which he's not). He preached bi-partisan because he truly believes in that philosophy. He didn't slam McCain and for that alone I respect him. Gilmore devastated Va when he was in office! He set everything back 10-20 years. I think Warner will get much further with arrogant Webb than Gilmore will!
Now somebody who promises to direct the lottery money to it's designated fund may be the real hero...
Republican doubletalk
Gilmore royally destroyed this state's finances, and it took some unpopular, brave votes to save it. Mark Warner may have signed the tax increase, but it was a Virginia General Assembly dominated by the GOP in BOTH houses that praised the package and passed it. Gilmore's supporters are speaking out of both sides of their mouth, as they both helped pass the taxes which saved the state and criticise Warner for signing it.
The fact of the matter is Mark Warner is a smart, shrewd businessman with the guts and know-how to get things done. His common sense approach to politics is exactly what Virginia should stand for.
Rising Star?
His speech didn't appear to be well received by the crowd. It appeared several times that he paused waiting for what he thought would be a rousing ovation yet only received a polite applause.
His speech was a dud.
Fell Flat
He was supposedly 'geared up to give the speech of his life' yet his speech has already been labeled as "forgettable."
At first it was all cliches, and then it became one big pat on the back session, and he looked flustered when (I assume) someone off camera reminding him to mention Obama's name a few times.
Just a terrible speech overall.
Didn't Gilmore lie about the
Didn't Gilmore lie about the no car tax thing?
how can a so called libertarian support the oligarchy?
Gilmore in addition to being incompetent, is a pawn of the oligarchy.
Get a clue
Warner cleaned up Gilmore's mess, plain and simple. Gilmore was nothing but a used car salesman in his tactics to take office. Warner did what was necessary to try and recoup lost revenue from the car tax. He set the groundwork for recovery and I find it painful to listen to conservatives who seem to deny this actually happened. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem and until politicians like Bush and Gilmore are gone, you have no credibility whatsoever. McCain and Obama both have integrity that is sorely lacking in the Presidential Office (Clinton AND Bush) although both of them will have to deal with Bush's mess. Perhaps, then, Warner should speak at BOTH conventions.
P.S.
Tim Kaine was great in his interview after Warner's speech. I think Obama made the wrong choice.
Double standard?
It's sad that people fail to recognize that Bill Clinton is a TWO TERM president. That is why he is speaking. As for Warner lying, put that blame on Gilmore, the one who lied about the cost of the "no car tax". To blame Warner for changing a position in order to advance the commonwealth is intellectually dishonest at best, and ignorant at worst. It demonstrates that partisanship drives your thought process, not logic.
Non-partisan view
I'm a non-partisan voter, and Warner's speech didn't do anything to convince me to vote for him -- for Senate this year or for higher calling in the future.
His make-up was overwhelming; his speech, underwhelming.
Airport Bum declares Mark Warner to be a "fool".
Airport Bum, Mark Warner was elected because he claimed he could run the government of Virginia without raising taxes. That is a fact that Mark Warner freely admits. You state that anyone that claims they can run government without raising taxes is a "fool". So, in addition to failing to stand by his word, you share with us that in your opinion he is a "fool" too. Well, I understand those are two sound reasons not to entrust Mark Warner with any office of public service. All the more reason to vote for Jim Gilmore or Bill Redpath as our next Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Reed Greenmun
where the heck have you been for the last few years? Jim Gilmore BROKE THIS STATE with his one and only campaign promise to end the car tax. Mark Warner had to raise taxes in order to keep the state running. I guess you are new to the state that you don't remember the state offices having to shut down in order to save money, programs cut, education budgets cut. And you obviously don't drive because you would know that we miss those car tax dollars in the repair of our roads. No, I didn't like the car tax. But at least I was smart enough to know you couldn't eliminate it without something to replace it. Jim Gilmore is just plain stupid.
I'm proud
I'm proud of Mark Warner for representing the Commonwealth in a positive tone. The day will come when he too will be president. Regardless of your political party, uncless you are so hard core you can't see past your nose, then you too would be proud of Warner.
All of them
must break promises sometime. If they didn't make promises in the first place, you would not vote for them, I don't care what political party they are associated with. I vote democratic because that party stands for choices, while republicans stand for tyrannical control. Anybody who says they can run a government without raising taxes is a fool.
Double Standard DNC
John Edwards was banned from speaking at the DNC because he lied about having an affair....but they let Bill Clinton speak!
Is this the double standard poor leadership this country needs?
No new TAXES
It seems I can't get a blog posted, maybe I'll get this one.
As for Warner, quote "I won't raise taxes" of course that was 1.3 billion dollars later stating he didn't know the state of Viginia's economy. Considering he didn't know about Virginia's economy, does that mean I'm supposed to belive him when he say's B.H.O. is the man for this country. I think NOT!
Bipartisanship
is Democrat speak for "don't say anything, just obey our orders".
I heard Gov. Warner speak in Hampton Roads at a Chamber event
back in early July. What he said on the national stage last night was the same message he delivered to 150 or so business leaders in Hampton Roads. I am impressed that he said to millions what he said to Virginians in Chesapeake. You may not agree with every policy he believes in; but you've got to admire that he isn't swayed by political pressures. According to the news outlets his talk was moved up last night because he wouldn't attack Senator McCain. He wanted to talk about ideas that he believes will lead us to a stronger America. The more I hear from him, the more I trust him to be an independent thinking business person running for office because he believes he can help. I respect that. I voeted for Gilmore the last time these two faced off. It won't be the case this time. I don't think Mark should have an R or D after his name. It should be an S for Statesman.
Polls
New polls released after the Biden announcement tell it all. McCain is now in the lead. He'll stay there until the elections in November. People see through all the one sided articles touting the Ds and dissing the Rs.
Why do we care what a known, bold, and blatant liar says?
Mark Warner lied to get elected. Now he wants us to believe that Barack Obama is the best choice for President? Why should anyone believe Mark Warner? We Virginians have suffered enough massive tax hikes due to Mark Warner's lie - obviously Jim Gilmore is the better choice as our Senator to replace the retiring Senator John Warner. Even the pro-Democratic Party Pilot admits that Mark Warner admits that he failed to keep his promises not to raise taxes. Mark Warner had his chance, he blew it. He certainly doesn't deserve another chance to lie to the good people of Virginia again. Face it, we can't afford more lies like that. Please vote for Jim Gilmore or Bill Redpath - not Liar Warner.
in the snake pit
Mark went into the snake pit expecting to see good ole democrats wanting a united America not a bunch of socialist vipers who are angry and still wanting to run against President Bush.
Common ground? That's bunk from a Democrat.
Coming from a Democrat that means one thing and one thing only: agree with me or I'll attack you for being partisan and I will do everything to stop you rather than work with you. I ain't buying it. It's BS. Did you notice how much he looks like John Edwards? Rielle, do you have a friend out there?