SHOCKER: Warner not running in 2008

[ilikeverin]

Perhaps bowing to the invitable rise of a Bayh presidency?

Well, one can hope.

[Colin]

If Warner thought he could win - he wouldn't give a toss what Hillary offered him.

The ONLY reason to drop out SO early is make sure no one goes digging - there's a skeleton in there... I know it.

Remember Fred Picker in "Primary Colors"?

Dont' know why ya'll can't simply take him at his word:  He doesn't want to give up his family life.

Because politicians, as a class of people, don't give a sh**t about anything but themselves and the power that they can obtain.

[adam]

The Dems chance of winning in 2008 just crashed. As far as I know, they don't have any candidates with above par cross over support like Warner did. Their next strongest candidate would be Bayh...which is good news for the GOP.

[© tweed]

Calm down everyone, Warner wasn't going to be nominated if he ran.  That's why he's dropped out.  It'll be (and it always has been) between Clinton and whoever emerges as the liberal darling (likely Gore of Feingold, perhaps Edwards if neither of them catches steam).

[Democratic Hawk]

The Dems chance of winning in 2008 just crashed. As far as I know, they don't have any candidates with above par cross over support like Warner did. Their next strongest candidate would be Bayh...which is good news for the GOP.

Not necessarily given Bayh has a proven solid track record of above par cross over support. It would have been impossible for him to have won statewide in Indiana five times without it , especially in his three landslide victories

In 1986, he was elected Secretary of State defeating Republican Robert Bowen by 828,494 votes to 704,952

In 1988, he was elected governor defeating Republican John Mutz by 1,138, 574 votes to 1,002,207, becoming the first Democrat to serve as Indiana's governor in 20 years

In 1992, he was re-elected govenor defeating Republican Linley Pearson by 1,382,151 votes to 822,533 - the largest margin of any governor in modern state history

In 1998, he was elected senator defeating Republican Pual Helmke by 1,012, 244 votes to 552, 732 (in an off-year) carrying all but 4 counties

In 2004, he was re-elected senator defeating Republican Marvin Scott by 1,496,976 votes to 902,108, carrying all but 6 counties, at a time when GWB polled 1,479,438 votes in his re-election for president

Check out this link, it will give you some insight into which demographics Bayh appeals to and receives considerable support from:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/IN/S/01/epolls.0.html

Among the "moderate" contenders, Bayh has the longest and most impressive electoral resume, while Bill Richardson as a former Congressman, a former Secretary of Energy and Governor has the more all-round experience. However, New Mexico is more friendly Democratic terrain than Indiana

Dave

[TomC]

the thing is, just the other day Warner was campaigning with Governon Lynch in NH and promising to help more.  Something happened very recently that forced Warner out.

Something fishy....

Yeah, actually Warner was here in TN stumping for Ford less than two weeks ago.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

If Warner thought he could win - he wouldn't give a toss what Hillary offered him.

The ONLY reason to drop out SO early is make sure no one goes digging - there's a skeleton in there... I know it.

Remember Fred Picker in "Primary Colors"?

Dont' know why ya'll can't simply take him at his word:  He doesn't want to give up his family life.

I have a quote from Billy Bob Thornton's character in Primary Colors "What? I'd rather be Dad that President? Not on your f***ing life"

Either he knew he didn't have a chance... or he got out to avoid something.

[MODU]

So much for the dems getting my vote in 2008.  Of course, that pretty much foreshadows another republican victory as well.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

So much for the dems getting my vote in 2008.  Of course, that pretty much foreshadows another republican victory as well.

Why don't you claim victory for the 2012 election too, while you're at it?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Wow - if there was one person - you may as well have already given your vote to the Reps.

It's hillarious - people already signing the Dems electoral death warrant moe than 2 years out. Making the assumption that the Reps do the electorally smart thing.

[tulip]

MSNBC named the top four Democrats last night being Clinton, Edwards, Bayh and Richardson.

Everyone in the Warner camp is a bit stunned right now. Warner is a very competant politician I am sure the decision did not come easily for him.

Will Warner's decision to bow out give anyone else a boost? Analysts are pointing directly to Senator Bayh. Right now Clinton and Edwards remain the best known names because Clinton is the former first lady and Edwards ran in 04. I feel Bayh and Richardson will surge in the next year.

I favor Bayh because he has accomplished much in his time as a politician as governor of Indiana and now Senator. I have met him and have listened to his speeches. There is nothing bland about the man. Bayh is the kind of person who will represent all Americans.......irregardless of party affiliation.

Perhaps Warner would consider a VP slot. who knows.

[Gustaf]

The Dems chance of winning in 2008 just crashed. As far as I know, they don't have any candidates with above par cross over support like Warner did. Their next strongest candidate would be Bayh...which is good news for the GOP.

Not necessarily given Bayh has a proven solid track record of above par cross over support. It would have been impossible for him to have won statewide in Indiana five times without it , especially in his three landslide victories

In 1986, he was elected Secretary of State defeating Republican Robert Bowen by 828,494 votes to 704,952

In 1988, he was elected governor defeating Republican John Mutz by 1,138, 574 votes to 1,002,207, becoming the first Democrat to serve as Indiana's governor in 20 years

In 1992, he was re-elected govenor defeating Republican Linley Pearson by 1,382,151 votes to 822,533 - the largest margin of any governor in modern state history

In 1998, he was elected senator defeating Republican Pual Helmke by 1,012, 244 votes to 552, 732 (in an off-year) carrying all but 4 counties

In 2004, he was re-elected senator defeating Republican Marvin Scott by 1,496,976 votes to 902,108, carrying all but 6 counties, at a time when GWB polled 1,479,438 votes in his re-election for president

Check out this link, it will give you some insight into which demographics Bayh appeals to and receives considerable support from:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/IN/S/01/epolls.0.html

Among the "moderate" contenders, Bayh has the longest and most impressive electoral resume, while Bill Richardson as a former Congressman, a former Secretary of Energy and Governor has the more all-round experience. However, New Mexico is more friendly Democratic terrain than Indiana

Dave

Checking that link, the campaign must have been pretty brutal, considering that the Republican started out with 35% of the voters and ended up with about 37%...

This is very, very sad news and I don't get it. But it's probably some sort of deal. There is usually a shocker like this, isn't there? I think Graham was a similar suprise in 2004 and Mondale in 1976 also comes to mind.

[Democratic Hawk]

Bayh is the kind of person who will represent all Americans.......irregardless of party affiliation.

That he would

Dave

[skybridge]

I feel Bayh and Richardson will surge in the next year.

So the forum's right back to where it was two years ago.

[adam]

The Dems chance of winning in 2008 just crashed. As far as I know, they don't have any candidates with above par cross over support like Warner did. Their next strongest candidate would be Bayh...which is good news for the GOP.

Not necessarily given Bayh has a proven solid track record of above par cross over support. It would have been impossible for him to have won statewide in Indiana five times without it , especially in his three landslide victories

In 1986, he was elected Secretary of State defeating Republican Robert Bowen by 828,494 votes to 704,952

In 1988, he was elected governor defeating Republican John Mutz by 1,138, 574 votes to 1,002,207, becoming the first Democrat to serve as Indiana's governor in 20 years

In 1992, he was re-elected govenor defeating Republican Linley Pearson by 1,382,151 votes to 822,533 - the largest margin of any governor in modern state history

In 1998, he was elected senator defeating Republican Pual Helmke by 1,012, 244 votes to 552, 732 (in an off-year) carrying all but 4 counties

In 2004, he was re-elected senator defeating Republican Marvin Scott by 1,496,976 votes to 902,108, carrying all but 6 counties, at a time when GWB polled 1,479,438 votes in his re-election for president

Check out this link, it will give you some insight into which demographics Bayh appeals to and receives considerable support from:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/IN/S/01/epolls.0.html

Among the "moderate" contenders, Bayh has the longest and most impressive electoral resume, while Bill Richardson as a former Congressman, a former Secretary of Energy and Governor has the more all-round experience. However, New Mexico is more friendly Democratic terrain than Indiana

Dave

I do not question election record, it fairly impressive given the shakedown of things in Indiana. I just don't him as a strong candidate in a general election, he would have to pander a tad in the primary which the GOP would use...and well, you saw the 2004 election. Perhaps it's just bias, but I don't see him as a strong candidate.

[Democratic Hawk]

I do not question election record, it fairly impressive given the shakedown of things in Indiana. I just don't him as a strong candidate in a general election, he would have to pander a tad in the primary which the GOP would use...and well, you saw the 2004 election. Perhaps it's just bias, but I don't see him as a strong candidate.

Bayh has to make the right pitch to win a Democratic primary, which explains his modest drift left. He has a solid record as a two-term state governor with approvals nigh on topping 80%, as well as being something of a bipartisan senator, who can and will work with Republicans, without selling his core values out

As Tulip has pointed out, Bayh as President would represent all Americans. I think given the opportunity, Bayh has the potential to be a formidable candidate, a man who is not, never has been and never will be beholden to the Democratic base alone

That said, people do have reservations as to whether he has the "fire in his belly" to mount a successful run for the Democratic nomination

After 8 years of W, who han't exactly been the most competent of president's, and, for the most part, highly polarised politics, Americans may want someone who takes a rather different tone and approach. Bayh may be that man. It's early days, however

Dave

[MODU]

So much for the dems getting my vote in 2008.  Of course, that pretty much foreshadows another republican victory as well.

Why don't you claim victory for the 2012 election too, while you're at it?

Hopefully the US will learn their lesson by then and nominate a third-party candidate that can win.

[RJ]

This is a disaster.

All I can say is that at least this happened now and not in 2008. I just have to wonder why it is that the Democrats always do something like this. Mcgovern in 72' over Muskie or Humphrey. Hart going belly up in 88' and they wind up with the likes of Dukakis. Here in Ohio, the senate race would be over if Hackett had stayed in the senate race. Instead, the door opens for...Brown?

I think the issue may have something to do either with funding or all that campaigning and the life(or lack thereof) that comes with it. I still have to wonder if this is some kind of strategy on his part in order to gauge support?

[ShadowRocket]

I was disappointed when I heard the news that Mark Warner had decided not to run for President. He was emerging as the clear alternative to Hillary Clinton. I sincerely believe that he would've won the nomination and had a very good chance at winning the general election.

I hope to see him run for the Senate in 2008 or Governor again in 2009, and take a shot at the Presidency in 2012/2016.

[MAS117]

I will be seeing Governor Warner next weekend, and I will report back anything that I learn.

[Platypus]

Richardson/Feingold plz.