Posted on 02/12/2006 7:36:01 AM PST by ncountylee
MANCHESTER, N.H., Feb. 11 -- A lot has changed for Mark R. Warner since he left behind the Virginia governorship and his 80 percent approval ratings to begin mulling a presidential campaign.
But perhaps nothing more than this: At just 3 percent in a recent poll asking Democrats nationwide to rate their presidential preference, Warner has become an unknown overnight.
Which is why, on a frigid Friday in February, Warner found himself in a Radisson Hotel, eating stuffed chicken and introducing himself to a ballroom full of strangers 500 miles from home.
"Good evening, everyone," Warner told the Democratic audience after it had watched a video of his achievements on a jumbo screen. "I'm Mark Warner, and despite what you saw in that video . . . I'm unemployed."
It got a laugh, as it has since he began using the line last month, after he left office. But Warner's purpose in New Hampshire is serious. In less than two years, this tiny state's voters will pick from a handful of Democrats the person they hope will retake 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
If Warner decides to be in that pack -- and he swears that he hasn't made up his mind -- voters in New Hampshire and in Iowa, where the first presidential caucus is held, must come to know the one-term governor almost as intimately as Virginians have during the past four years.
That won't be easy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Warner would be a tough opponent.
True. But it looks like the Dems are unlikely to nominate him. He won't draw big early money from the MoveOn crowd.
Oh, guess what, another multimillionaire who wants us to believe that he's just one of us and is for the little guy. They may get rich by raising taxes but let's drop the little guy routine.
when it comes to Warner, there is no 'there' there.
I think Warner has a chance to do well here.
I really doubt that-he's a bigger phony than John Edwards. It won't take long for the voters to realize, it's so obvious.....
In nearby Nashua, Ronaldus Maximus: "I am PAYING for this microphone, Mr. Breen!"
Manchester, where they tried to name the new minor leage baseball team the New Hampshire Primaries (see logo) but there was such an outcry it was scrapped and they became the Fisher Cats (a type of weasel I think)
at the end of the article, someone asks Warner about foreign policy--he doesn't seem to have one.
even a democrat in the article says about his speech "it was a little light on foreign policy".
john edwards came to my mind as i read this article.
maybe we should call Warner "Edwards lite".
i just went on 2 warner websites (forward together, which is his pac; and draft mark warner). he has nothing to say about foreign policy. he may be somewhat out of his league in running for president.
the real issue is--who will be the repub candidate?
i don't think any of the potential dem candidates are too formidable; the election will depend on whether the repubs nominate a winner or not.
Great idea! I think it would catch on!
"If you liked John Edwards, you'll love Mark Warner"!
That even fits on a bumper sticker!
LOL!
A person running for president doesn't have to be Hollywood handsome but he has to be at least "presentable" and Warner doesn't meet that minimal standard.
Why? Because the Democrats say so?
Why? Because the Democrats say so?
No, because he could complicate the current Southern strategy.
Maybe. But Evan Bayh or Russ Feingold [gag!] could complicate the Midwest strategy.
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