VA-Sen: Warner Won't Rule Out Voting For Warner

by Todd Beeton, Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 05:47:56 PM EDT

Senator John Warner (R-VA) hosted a "Why Barack Obama and Joe Biden Are Wrong for Virginia" conference call for reporters today and responded to a question about the Virginia Senate race.

From The Politico:

"I'm watching that race, following the positions of the two candidates," John Warner told reporters on a conference call Saturday. "There have been occasions when I have supported Democratic candidates. ... But I'm not there yet." [...]
When a reporter on the call said to Warner, "So it sounds like you're open to voting for a Democrat in the Senate race, even when you're supporting Mr. McCain?"
Warner replied: "I told you very carefully: I'm watching that race, following the positions of the two candidates. I just commented: I have differing opinions in what Gilmore expressed on the rescue package. But that did not in any way indicate a lifelong support of Republican candidates in this state. There have been occasions when I have supported Democratic candidates -- you know that well. But I'm not there yet."

Not that his vote could swing the election one way or the other, of course; this one's been a done deal for months. But think about it -- this is the vote for the man who will replace him in the Senate. John Warner doesn't trust his own party to represent him in his stead -- that's very telling about the moment we find ourselves in right now.

Tags: John Warner, mark warner, VA-Sen (all tags)

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Gilmore is Obama's best friend in VA

The more that guy tries to tie Obama to Mark Warner, the better it is for us. If Gilmore really wanted to help McCain, he would endorsed Obama and tried to tie himself to Obama.

Tip of the cap to the original map-changer, Jerome.

by Blazers Edge 2008-10-04 05:51PM | 0 recs

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not exactly going out on a limb here

I guess it's nice, but I'm not impressed by Warner's courage here.

Was just reading the Rolling Stone article on McCain and it was interesting to see Warner make a cameo, helping out McCain's career bypassing the regular rules.

by John DE 2008-10-04 07:31PM | 0 recs

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Re: VA-Sen: Warner Won't Rule Out Voting For Warne

Wow, this title and introductory sentence (after a couple of beers) really confused me.

by the mystical vortexes of sedona 2008-10-04 11:22PM | 0 recs

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Re:

This is the same John Warner, who after it was clear that the Bork nomination was doomed and the bulk of his constituents had written and called to support Bork, voted against Bork. He was the only Southern Republican to do so.

The guy has been known to go his own way

by kmwray 2008-10-05 03:45AM | 0 recs

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Re: VA-Sen: Warner Won't Rule Out Voting For Warne

"John Warner doesn't trust his own party" isn't really on target, he fully supports McCain. His statement is a lot more about Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore than any national trend. I have seen several yards with yard signs for both McCain and Mark Warner. It isn't news that there is cross-over support for Warner (he will get lots), but it is quite something that he is even getting support from Republicans dedicated enough to have McCain signs in their yard. Or even a Republican Senator.

I do think Warner and Virginia are wake-up calls for the GOP. Warner earned the support of thousands of Republicans by putting good government ahead of politics. The affection he earned spilled over to Kaine and Webb, and warmed them up to Obama. (With a major assist from George Bush). The Democrats need to do the same thing in DC in 2009 when they control everything.

by cat 2008-10-05 05:02AM | 0 recs