Posted by William Neikirk at 12:15 p.m. CDT
Citing family concerns, former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced Thursday he has decided against running for the presidency in 2008.
He became the first major casualty from what is expected to be a crowded field for the Democratic nomination for the nation's highest office. He has already tested the political waters by visiting states such as New Hampshire and Iowa.
Warner's decision is good news for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), considered the front-runner in the race for the nomination. The governor had been seen as a viable moderate alternative to Clinton, although other moderates remain in the race.
But he might make a good vice presidential choice for the senator, since he would bring a voice of moderation to the ticket.
The former governor had been considered a potent contender because of his high popularity.
He said he made his decision after celebrating his father's 81st birthday and while taking his oldest daughter to tour a college.
"This is not a choice that was made based on whether I could win or lose," he said. "I can say with complete conviction that 15 months out from the first nomination contests, I feel we would have had as good a shot to be successful as any potential candidate in the field."
Many would dispute that. Sen. Clinton has the edge at the moment, and stopping her will be the big problem for other contenders.
"I know these moments are never going to come again," Warner said. "This weekend made clear what I'd been thinking about for many weeks--that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge, at this point I want to have a real life."
He conceded that another opportunity for running for the presidency "may never come again," but added, "I shouldn't move forward unless I'm willing to put everything else in my life on the back burner."
Warner, 51, a multimillionaire who had captured the governor's office in a Southern state that is becoming increasingly moderate, left office at the end of last year, and made clear he was running for president. Last week, he went to Florida to raise money.
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Comments
One less moderate on the left. C'mon dems, give the electorate Hillary!
Posted by: Bill | October 12, 2006 12:11 PM
Yeah,stay out of the race Warner,this job's going to Lady Hillary.That's right,you retards,our next Prez is Lady Hillary.
Yeah,and then we're going to tax the living sh** out of you retards.That's right.There's one for you,nineteen for me.Cause I'm the taxman.Beatles,Revolver.
And then,we're giving all your money to the blacks and the latino's,that's right.They don't have to work,we're gonna send the checks to their homes!
And then we're gonna have national healthcare,right,gonna shove it down your throats.That's right.
And then we're gonna do away with the defense dept.That's right gone.Givin all that dough to more programs.We'll think em up as we go along.
Guns,nobody's gonna get guns,not even cops.Givem all to the crooks.
Abortions,free,on every corner,just like a drive thru Walgreens,buy one get one free.
If I've missed anything that you retards don't like,we're doing it!
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 12, 2006 1:11 PM
Evan Bayh moved up a notch. I hope to hear more of what he has to say.
Posted by: johnf | October 12, 2006 1:37 PM
RL: that's pretty vicious, but fits right into their campaign strategy. You about covered it all, hadn't you? Oh yes yes yes, lest we forget, a Dem President will remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegience.
Posted by: Jack | October 12, 2006 1:45 PM
Apologies to Raving Loon - I agree with your politics, but not your means of expression. I thought we recently had a post removed for using the word "'tard"? Is spelling it out in its full version (three times, no less) any better? Please, could we have the merest hint of civility?
Posted by: Dienne | October 12, 2006 2:14 PM
Apologies to Dienne- I agree with your politics,but not your means of expression.
To civil for me.I like to get down and dirty,the dirtier the better.
Also,a bit of humor once in a while.
Where do you buy your milk?
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 12, 2006 2:44 PM
If I've missed anything that you retards don't like,we're doing it!
Posted by: Raving Loon | Oct 12, 2006 1:11:37 PM
I usually try to just ignore this guy but it's impossible this time. This isn't "spirited debate' or even "fiestiness". It';s simply disgusting.
C'mon Swamp. I've had much milder things not pass the monitor. In the name of common decency, delete this please!
Posted by: Juanito | October 12, 2006 3:01 PM
Dienne, have you seen the thread about the Iraqi death counts? http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/10/bush_wrong_to_d.html#comments - you'll find the f-word used in there. I know people don't police themselves, but I think RL's language is pretty moderate already. Just my 2c and pardon mucho,
Posted by: Jack | October 12, 2006 3:10 PM
R Loon -- Unlike evidently more prescient readers here, I can't say that I agree (or disagree) with your politics. I gather that yours is an attempt at humor? Perhaps not. Perhaps you are what you say you are.
Did we forget our meds today?
Posted by: Elizabeth Bennet | October 12, 2006 3:27 PM
The real story in 2008 will be John McCain.
Is he going to hitch his wagon to George W. Bush ???
The Bush people swiftboated him in 2000.
I can only imagine how low Dubya's approval rating is going to go down during the next two years.
Will it be more important for him to be McCain the "Maverick",or McCain,the guy trying to get Bush's cult religious following to vote for him ???
Posted by: John E. | October 12, 2006 3:30 PM
Loon,
I can't wait to see Bubba hanging out in the WhiteHouse again.
The NeoNuts lay awake at night worrying that this may soon be a reality.
Posted by: John E. | October 12, 2006 3:32 PM
I'm sorry, people, for in any way commenting on this, but it needs to be said. Raving Loon's post is more appropriate for a third-grade playground than a public debate forum. It's not in any way appropriate.
As I've said before on this blog, anyone who has a family member that's mentally-challenged and understands what its like has every right to be offended by that term.
But in the end Raving Loon is only showing his own ignorance and lack of civility and tact, which has been readily apparent ever since he started posting on this blog.
Posted by: Bill | October 12, 2006 4:11 PM
Sweet Lizzie,just a little humor.I don't take meds.Just a little hit on the pipe every once in a while.
Maybe quite a few hits on the pipe since the "Thief in Chief" came on board.
Love ya Lizzie.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 12, 2006 4:28 PM
Hey Bill,
How about we remove every post that calls people "loony". That way we'll never have to read anything from the extreme right. Just a thought.
Loon, you forgot the drive-thru flag-burning stores right next to the terrorist donation centers.
Posted by: Bubba | October 12, 2006 4:36 PM
Billy and Haunito,It would be nice if you (2) cowards would show as much emotion towards our maimed and fallen soldiers as you pretend to for the mentally ill.
At least with the Loon,there's no phony baloney,like you and your compadre.
John E and Jack are cool with the Loon,and beleive me,that's who I'd want in my fox hole,not (2) little yuppies from wussy street.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 12, 2006 4:43 PM
Yesterday,while the very serious issue of how many Iraqi citizens have died due to the Bush invasion into Iraq,Bill,who thinks my humorus post about Hillary belongs in the 3rd grade,was more concerned with the price of milk in Chicago!
Folks,I rest my case.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 12, 2006 4:58 PM
Raving loon was obviously pulling everyones leg. Let's not get too thin skinned.
Bad things have been said all around, even about me!
Ooh the RRD b#%$&%@ really smoked me once upon a time ago!
With the possible exception of 'aroo' nobody posting here is retarded, and RL knows it.
Look out now, and play nice nice, or I may submit some more song lyrics again, but this time it might be The Carpenters, or the Serendipity Singers.
"We've only just begun....."
Ha Ha! I gotta go to work.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 12, 2006 5:58 PM
You like a bit of humor once in a while?
HUMOR?
What planet are posting from anyway?
Tell us, as you are seem to be utterly incapable of engaging adults in an anything remotely resembling a thoughtful conversation, why do you even waste your time here?
I really can't tell whether you are loathesome or pathetic. In any case, I think everybody here has wasted far too much time trying to reason with you. I for one will return to Steadfastly-Ignoring-the-Loon mode.
And right now I feel an overwhelming compulsion to bathe.
Posted by: Juanito | October 12, 2006 6:40 PM
John E and Jack are cool with the Loon,and beleive me,that's who I'd want in my fox hole,not (2) little yuppies from wussy street.
Posted by: Raving Loon | Oct 12, 2006 4:43:31 PM
Oh, and just one more thing. Now and again he likes to imply that he served in the military.
He didn't.
Posted by: Juanito | October 12, 2006 8:34 PM
I'm ignoring the loon, too, Juanito. Moderator, which part of this is a fair attack?
Posted by: Bill | October 12, 2006 8:46 PM
Bill and Ruanito,for two guys who are ignoring me,you both spend to much time whining about me.
I've been spinning you guys like a top for weeks now.
Both of you should take your condescending attitudes elsewhere.
Posted by: Raving Loon | October 13, 2006 9:07 AM
And just for everyone's information I was not more concerned with the price of milk than deaths in Iraq. I was comparing two studies that experts said came to faulty, innacurate conclusions that anyone who took college statistics should have been able to see. Frank James and his statistician friend agreed with me about the Iraq study.
Posted by: Bill | October 13, 2006 9:57 AM
Moderator,
Please quit pandering to Crybaby Bill,and "Independant" Juanito.
They are playing you like a fool ,after years of their party swiftboating all opposition to the Republicans,things are getting tough for the crooks that they are backing.
It's called KARMA Bill...........
Posted by: John E. | October 13, 2006 1:36 PM
Good point, Juanito. If the Loon had ever been in military he would've been shot by his own troops, Niedermeyer-style.
Posted by: Bill | October 13, 2006 2:35 PM
Bill,
He's slick enough to not actually explicitly say it, but he IMPLIES it:
"...who I'd want in my fox hole..."
But enough about him.
Posted by: Juanito | October 13, 2006 3:25 PM