tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post7541940546931409062..comments2023-11-05T05:05:34.610-04:00Comments on Alter of Freedom: How Sen. Mark Warner is making the case for McDonnellUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-44515888417204324272009-02-10T21:57:00.001-04:002009-02-10T21:57:00.001-04:00We absolutely want and need our leaders to take st...We absolutely want and need our leaders to take stands on issues, otherwise what does it matter who we send to Washington if they are simply going to be told how to vote by the caucus.<BR/><BR/>Warner, whom I voted for, is not delivering on what he promised Virginians nor on his message at the Democrat Convention in Denver.<BR/><BR/>I suggest people read that speech and that make determinations as to whether he is applying the standard to himself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-82071634938052190532009-02-10T21:57:00.000-04:002009-02-10T21:57:00.000-04:00We absolutely want and need our leaders to take st...We absolutely want and need our leaders to take stands on issues, otherwise what does it matter who we send to Washington if they are simply going to be told how to vote by the caucus.<BR/><BR/>Warner, whom I voted for, is not delivering on what he promised Virginians nor on his message at the Democrat Convention in Denver.<BR/><BR/>I suggest people read that speech and that make determinations as to whether he is applying the standard to himself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-64107691814361796382009-02-09T17:03:00.000-04:002009-02-09T17:03:00.000-04:00So this sets the country up for another President-...So this sets the country up for another President-hopeful in 2016 from the Democrat Party who manages to work the system without really taking any stands or positions on issues while the insiders and pundits tout his grasp of the issues. Thats just great.<BR/><BR/>I guess we will see in about a year or so just how that theory of leadership is realy worth by evaluating Obama and the impact of the stimulus.<BR/><BR/>If I were to be betting today on whether this bill was going to be effective or not the way it is currently formed I would be betting that in 2010 quite a few of those House Democrats, especially here in Virginia, are tossed out. Afterall, even those still inlcined to give Obama a pass probably will not be as forgiving in States like Virginia at the polls in 2010.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-30590713459842155362009-02-09T14:48:00.000-04:002009-02-09T14:48:00.000-04:00I agree with your observation, Luck Lane. Mark War...I agree with your observation, Luck Lane. Mark Warner tries very hard to be inoffensive. That's the point--- taking a side on the stimulus would offend about 1/2 the state depending on what side you take. So, not taking a position is the most inoffensive thing he can do. Blue Dog- I agree this isn't the kind of leadership that I'd ideally want, but I had a choice between Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner. I chose Warner and, again, am a moderate Democrat so will be much happier with him for six years than I would with Gilmore. And Blue Dog, I suppose you are a Blue Dog Dem, which means you should be upset with most of the Blue Dog leaders in the House who voted for this bill, in addition to Warner (who the Blue Dogs endorsed). I know I would be upset if I were a Blue Dog. The thrust of this post, that the author is suprised by Warner's lack of leadership on a tough issue, is just something that most folks who follow VA politics wouldn't find surprising in the least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-35692132851612352962009-02-09T03:52:00.000-04:002009-02-09T03:52:00.000-04:00Warner paid attention to all areas of the State as...Warner paid attention to all areas of the State as Gov. He did alot for Southside. People like him because is inoffensive. <BR/><BR/>Webb has a totally different life experince than Warner. I would say he is a straight shooter in more ways than one.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I saw the TARP application. It is 2 pages. I am going to charter myself as a bank and apply for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-70415762626118284782009-02-08T19:45:00.000-04:002009-02-08T19:45:00.000-04:00In other words Alter- Warner is now just like ever...In other words Alter- Warner is now just like every other politician in Washington. If those are the kind of leaders that Anonymous wants to represent him that fine, but thats not leadership.<BR/><BR/>The old "if you don't take a stand for something , you will fall for anything"----well Warner is falling all right.<BR/><BR/>I agree with one aspect; can you say buyers remorse. I want to be proud of the people we send to the Senate and based on the previous post what is there to be proud of in Warner?<BR/><BR/>That he has an ability to tell both sides of an issue that he is behind them and they believe him I guess represents true selling abilties, but in the final analysis your a salesman not a leader.<BR/><BR/>Around here we also call someone he behaves in like fashion something a bit more harsh; we call them scoundrels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-78478254240842750602009-02-08T16:28:00.000-04:002009-02-08T16:28:00.000-04:00“Mold of Warner”. Fair enough to ask for an explan...“Mold of Warner”. Fair enough to ask for an explanation. I like Warner and voted for him, but I’m not surprised he hasn’t been a leader speaking out about this stimulus bill. That’s because the bill is controversial, and Warner avoids taking clear stands on controversial issues. I’m a Democrat, and am comfortable having a Senator that votes Democratic on the majority of the issues, but also talks a great game about bipartisanship and is from time to time successfully able to broker bipartisan legislation. That’s the kind of Senator we’re going to have for the next 6 years, but we won’t have one that takes tough stands on issues that will hurt his approval rating or damage his ability to run for President in the future. If you think this is wrong, that perhaps Warner is going to vote with the Republicans or break with business as usual in the Senate , you need to look at where he is now getting his counsel- Warner’s office is run by Leahy’s and Sarbane’s former chiefs of staffs- not exactly anything centrist about either of those Senators.<BR/><BR/>Warner didn’t have a primary opponent for his Senate run so was able to take the centrist position on lots of issues, or not take or address others all together. He bills himself as a “radical centrist”, and has asked many Republicans to support him. But, upon further inspection of his record, Warner has never, in his entire life, endorsed a Republican. How can someone ask Republicans to endorse him and put their careers and reputations on the line and, in return, Warner never take that stand himself? Warner has worked very hard of crafting this image, but the reality is that he is a Democrat and will fall in line on many of these issues. Warner has “molded” his image brilliantly, and it’s been as much about pr and packaging (sponsoring NASCAR teams, shutting down the DMV’s one day a week to demonstrate his ‘fiscal restraint’ and justify his tax increase, and w/ the stars aligning for him- his fortunate race against a hyper partisan in Gilmore) as it has been about actual actions. <BR/><BR/>The Employee Free Choice Act is the crystal clear example of what I’m talking about. Warner has said one thing to labor and another to the business community. No one knows where he actually stands on the issue and Warner wants it that way- taking a stand on it means disappointing either a powerful constituency in his own party (labor) or ruining his credibility with a group of whom he wants to be a champion (the business community). So, he will continue to stay mum on this bill and keep his fingers crossed that the Obama Administration doesn’t push it and that it’s never brought to the floor to be voted on.<BR/><BR/>Back to McDonnell. If you believe in Warner’s notion of the “radical centrists” then you have to see the need for both Republicans and Democrats elected to statewide office. I don’t think there is any reason why McDonnell can’t be elected and take the same approach that Warner did- try to work across the aisle when possible and not be a firebrand partisan. For the notion of the “radical centrists” to only apply to Democrats runs in the face of what it purports to be all about- bipartisanship and the value of having some measure of divided government. I fear, however, that the “radical centrists” that Warner has introduced is nothing more than a very appealing campaign strategy for Democrats to take in a conservative state. That’s the “mold of Warner”. Appeal to the middle and don’t take controversial stands that will offend centrists or alienate your base to the point where they start giving you trouble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-84587133706222947642009-02-07T17:48:00.000-04:002009-02-07T17:48:00.000-04:00Please explain "mold of Warner" further.Please explain "mold of Warner" further.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016574119422355102.post-15385447262701647672009-02-07T13:53:00.000-04:002009-02-07T13:53:00.000-04:00Mark Warner is now running for President; keeping ...Mark Warner is now running for President; keeping a low profile and decidely not taking a stance on this issue to preserve his high approval rating in Virginia. Where is Warner on any of the big issues right now? Employee Free Choice Act is another. The reason Webb takes stands on issues is he's not worried about keeping all sides, all the time, happy. You might not like a stance he takes on an issue, but he takes one. <BR/><BR/>And, if Warner's brand of politics is legitimate, then there is a very good case to be made that after 8 years of Democratic governors in the state, we should elect a Republican. Assuming McDonnell doesn't play too far to the right, why couldn't he fit the mold of Warner?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com