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The VP Choice that got away (Mark Warner)
According to a Marc Ambinder blog this afternoon -
The selection of ex-VA Gov. Mark Warner to deliver the keynote address
at the Democratic National Convention comes on the heels of a secret,
last-minute effort to convince Warner to submit his name and record for
vice presidential vetting.
Sources close to Warner say that the
Virginia Senate candidate was subject to fairly intense pressure by
Obama advisers to allow the team of Eric Holder and Caroline Kennedy to
open an account and begin their work.
Warner resisted, citing, as he has done publicly, family concerns and his public pledge to Virginians.
Full blog available here - CLICK ME
Many have said he would have been the best pick, and it was hard to argue with that sentiment. Alas it wasn't meant to be. By giving Warner the valuable keynote speaker spot, he's basically sending the message that Warner is his pick in 2016, given Warners age and credentials. This also means that it is unlikely that Obama is picking an younger VP, because in most instances that person would be Obama's defacto pick to replace him at the end of his second term.
I understand why Warner made his decision, but Obama/Warner would have been a helluva ticket. Warner has the stability that he wants for his young family by winning the Virginia senate seat, and could reasonably keep it as long as he wanted it. In four(dread) or eight years time he could run for President as his own man and off of his own record. If he ran with Obama and they lost, Warner would effectively be locked out of Virginia politics with Webb, Kaine and whomever won the vacant senate seat there for the next while. Also he probably doesn't want his young family growing up in the White House spotlight.
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Comments (4)
I know some people will be disappointed. I knew nothing about the guy. When I first heard Warner, I thought they were talking about John Warner. Sounds like he has a great future.
August 13, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
For what it's worth, Mark Warner apparently only decided to run for Senate in 2008 because John was not going for re-election. As of the last I saw, he has a fairly commanding lead against his Republican opponent. Kudos to him for looking to assure an overwhelming Senate majority.
August 14, 2008 12:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank, Jonze, for a nice head's up and a well-crafted, insightful analysis.
August 13, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I'm sad about it, too. I liked the Obama/Warner ticket idea, but it appears that it is not to be.
August 14, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
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