Mark Warner not running for president
posted at 1:17 pm on October 12, 2006 by Allahpundit
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His PAC has posted the statement.
Karol thinks this is good news because he’s a strong, centrist candidate. Isn’t that why it’s bad news? A centrist opponent would force the GOP to run to the right. And even then, if we end up losing we have the consolation of losing to a centrist. As it stands now, we’re looking at … Hillary.
Rich Lowry says this is one case where the “I want to spend more time with my family” excuse might not be an excuse. Really? He built up a huge war chest, traveled repeatedly to Iowa and New Hampshire, and stooped to throwing a party for the nutroots in Vegas — and now suddenly the old homestead’s a-callin’?
Shrewd assessment here from Hotline:
Warner’s exit frees up a LOT of money and talent for other ‘08 Dems. The two big beneficiaries: John Edwards and Evan Bayh (Bill Richardson and Tom Vilsack too). But his exit also leaves a “new flavor” vacuum, which could yet be filled by Barack Obama. With new low-hanging financial fruit available, will IL’s junior senator make his move?
Obama’s the big winner. Edwards and Bayh have the heartland pedigree but they’ve been around awhile and have the stink of loser on them. Obama’s younger and more charismatic than both, and the left would simply shiver with self-admiration if it managed to put a black candidate on the ticket. There’s room now.
The question is, could Hillary beat him in a primary with all her negatives? He’s the only opponent who can match her for star power and she has no obvious advantage over him on the issues. On the contrary, she has to defend voting for war in Iraq. He doesn’t. Worse yet, he’s uniquely positioned to neutralize her one big advantage over the rest of the field: the feelgood vote from progressives eager to prove their lack of prejudice. It’s time for a woman president — but only if it’s not time for a black president first.
She won’t go down without a fight. Champions never do.
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Yeah, so I hear.
Stephen M on October 12, 2006 at 1:43 PM
Obama isn’t going to run in ‘08. He won’t yet be 4 years into his first Senate term. ‘12, maybe. But not ‘08.
Besides, isn’t it a little too soon for a President with “Hussein” in his name?
Pablo on October 12, 2006 at 1:45 PM
I’m not running for President, either. Where are my headlines!!!!!
I agree that Obama gets the best out of this. It’s still a little too soon to tell, but if Warner’s out, the field is more inviting to folks who were scared off by Warner and his war chest.
Ennuipundit on October 12, 2006 at 1:45 PM
I assume Hillary sidled up to Mr. Warner and let him peek at the snapshot of Vince Foster she keeps to persuade someone to get out of her frickin’ way.
Labamigo on October 12, 2006 at 2:00 PM
Obama needs to have actually won a contested election before he can be taken as a serious candidate. He’s in big trouble if there is another black candidate in the primary. I can’t imagine that his biography embodies the “African American” experience.
Obama is an untested media creation.
rw on October 12, 2006 at 2:07 PM
Speaking of Babs, Okay I know this has nothing to do with the topic but I figured you would like to see what Babs gets for the privilege of entertaining you.
LakeRuins on October 12, 2006 at 2:10 PM
Stephen M, please tell me that wasn’t a Monica joke.
bdfaith on October 12, 2006 at 2:13 PM
rw, out here in HI (where he spent most of his formative years) he wasn’t the poor child that he’s proported to be in IL. He attended Punahou (which is always tied as the most expensive private formative school with Iolani, clocking in at 25K this year) but you’ve always had to have a heavy cash flow to go there. He was not a scholarship student either as was once reported. They call him “the third Senator” out here. He’s not been around long enough for his true colors to be shown. However, the people of NY voted in a Senator whose only qualifications were that she was the First Lady and claimed to be a Yankee fan (in even better reason to love those Mets even though Keith Hernandez has long ago retired!). I have a former high school classmate living near Albany and he says in their neck of the woods she’s not liked but they just don’t have the population of the 5 Burroughs to counteract their votes.
Catie96706 on October 12, 2006 at 2:23 PM
should read “an even better” no in sorry
Catie96706 on October 12, 2006 at 2:24 PM
Jeez, wife and I saw these guys and this guy over the weekend for $15.00. The music was much better and we didn’t have to sit through a lame-ass GWB-is-dumb skit.
Gottafang on October 12, 2006 at 2:29 PM
It’s almost Halloween and the skeletons are beginning to clapper…
Entelechy on October 12, 2006 at 2:37 PM
I wonder what Bill and Hill have on Warner?
stenwin77 on October 12, 2006 at 2:56 PM
The Hildebeast has to run in 08.They got to Warner somehow, the Left is too invested in the Clintons to allow anyone else a shot at the White House.I agree that it is too early for Obama, but think how much moonbat saliva would be oozed with a Hillary/Obama ticket.They would not be able to contain themselves.
bbz123 on October 12, 2006 at 3:00 PM
You guys are kidding about Hillary, correct?
I’m really the last to make generalizations about women but Hillary will not run, and if so, she will not win – As women hate one another.
Women from the left and right (from across the country) will come out to vote against Hillary.
Haven’t you heard women say that they rather work for a man as a woman boss is catty/malicious?
*************
Btw, does anyone have a pic of Hillary Clinton and her Socialist/Communist Universal Health Care bus? Last I search Google didn’t have one of those pictures from the 90’s. It frightening…
http://images.google.com/images?q=Hillary+Universal+Health+Care+Bus&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
ar_basin on October 12, 2006 at 3:16 PM
Mark knows a MONSTER MACHINE when he sees it. There is no way anyone is going to beat Hillary out of this. NO WAY. They will come out of the fight bloody and beaten. Mark Warner is smart enough to know it.
The only other scary one here is John Edwards. He could actually win. Let’s just hope the Democrats don’t figure that out.
Rightwingsparkle on October 12, 2006 at 4:14 PM
So,Rightwingsparkle,are you suggesting going long on hair-spray stock?
bbz123 on October 12, 2006 at 4:32 PM
That’s precisely why Obama should run in ‘08. He doesn’t have a voting record yet. If the Dems run on their records they look like the idiots that they are. That’s how GWB and Clinton both got elected. Their record as governors left little to crucify them.
Off topic, but did you guys know how old Obama is? He’s 45. I didn’t think he looked any older than 35.
natesnake on October 12, 2006 at 4:53 PM
Also, Obama has the charisma edge over Hillary. Obama is a strong likeable public speaker. Hillary always appears to be smug and jaded.
natesnake on October 12, 2006 at 4:56 PM
ar_basin, you can register at this site to order video clips of the “Hillary Clinton Bus Caravan”, at $2.00 a shot. They have several available.
The caption, above, laurels and all, would make a great Halloween mask; scary too!
Entelechy on October 12, 2006 at 5:09 PM
Can you imagine Obama running against Giuliani? Obama would be creamed. Can anyone picture the American people entrusting their security to Obama?
My prediction: Hillary will run, will convince the “popular” Mark Warner to come out of retirement to be her vice-president (they know they have to pick off a red state), and then will lose big in the 2008 election.
januarius on October 12, 2006 at 5:16 PM
Noteworthy that the link, above, is to the Vanderbilt University TV News Archive; good to consider for just about any subject needed from past TV coverage…
Entelechy on October 12, 2006 at 5:17 PM
Thanks, I’ll look into this site.
I’m just annoyed that many Conservatives fear Hillary.
If bald white men can’t become president then a white woman that resembles a Telle-Tubby won’t win.
Oh, oh and catch her without make-up…
sshhheeeshh spare me.
All women hate other women – even within their own circles… There I said it… Contest me … anyone?
Women will not let Hillary win; especially Hetero women that love men. Enough said.
ar_basin on October 12, 2006 at 5:58 PM
Ok, I’ll contest ya. And I do love men! All women don’t hate other women. We just prefer to hang out with men.
I jogged with a group of mostly men for 6 years, Mon-Fri, 4-6 miles daily, with very, very few exceptions. Then ran the half-marathon and switched to swimming and walking.
On days when other women were present invariably the topics were more boring and gossipy. On days with only other men, and moi, we talked about taking airplane engines apart, the news, Socrates, the latest inventions, religion, war, and yes, occasionally about sex and human relations. Bottom line, it was always more interesting and easier to conquer those d—-d hills.
Women might not let Hillary win, but not for the reasons you assume, not because they hate other (and all) women.
They’ll decide on the issues, as they do for anyone else. It’s a myth that they will vote for a woman just because they are women, or a black just because…only in the media and simpletons’ minds…
Entelechy on October 12, 2006 at 6:13 PM
ar_basin, I want to be very clear – I did not mean to call you a ’simpleton’ – that was a general statement about general assumptions on voting blocs. Sincerely,
Entelechy on October 12, 2006 at 6:17 PM
Obama can’t win a general, so I’d be happy for him to get the nomination. There are many, many blue collar Democrats who aren’t remotely liberal, and who don’t want a trendy progressive as their candidate. They might not vote GOP, but they could well stay at home.
Leaving Rudy to romp home with the general.
Martin on October 12, 2006 at 7:35 PM
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