We live in this odd fishbowl world. The political conventions have become somewhat like the Olympics where analysts will rate a performance on technical merit and style points.
Most of the speeches I have heard have been high on the passion and the throwing of red meat to the audience. There has been lots of charisma, lots of rhetoric and snappy phrases but devoid of content and substance.
I am proud of Mark Warner. He gave a thoughtful, honest to him and his beliefs keynote speech. It talked about real things. He talked about broadband connections for everyone; internet time; and the need to act on things NOW. He mentioned how China is winning gold medals in the economy not just swimming and gymnastics. He talked about the importance of math and science. He talked about management and execution not just about leadership. He talked about real world economics; revenue generation; and the power of education.
He looked to the future and stopped the name calling aimed at the past.
Mark was perhaps the best Governor in Virginia’s history save for Thomas Jefferson. He had our state humming. It was ranked best-managed state in the union for three years running.
Mark Warner is a centrist not a flame thrower. He is a thinker not a talker. He is a man of integrity and a man who understands the importance of technology in our lives. He is of our generation.
I am proud of Mark and I am proud that he gave a speech that was authentic and true to him. He was a great Governor. He will be a great Senator and hopefully – one day – his aspirations will be even higher.
After strong Commonwealth building, single terms by Allen and Gilmore … Warner didn’t have to do much to oil the machine. It was already rolling down hill. Allen and Gilmore made Virginia very business friendly and taxed her residents significantly less. Thus, the Commonwealth flourished.
Warner inherited a well-oiled machine which he promptly attempted to slow or grind to a halt with the largest tax increase in the history of the state – a tax hike that he couldn’t even justify the need for when questioned about it. The legislature failed the people in opposing these unjustified tax hikes as well.
Jim Gilmore, his predecessor and the man who lead a Virginia that Mark Warner inherited, will do battle with Mark Warner for the retiring John Warner’s senate seat. Will Virginians remember or understand the real Mark Warner? The thing that sticks out in my mind in addition to the tax hike was the removal of the Operation Illegal Gun signs at the borders warning criminals (not law abiding citizens) of the extreme penalties in our state for using guns illegally. Warner had those removed within the first week of his governorship. Stark contrasts for sure. Speeches are just words.
At least Warner didn’t pack up his books and wines and flee to the west when told the British were within 75 miles of the capital.
Warner is just another tax and spend lib. But it’s nice that Leonsis has revealed that he’s a democrat.
Mark Warner is great. He gave the Commencement speech at Longwood University when I graduated. It was heartfelt and touching. The part that stood out was “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to fail. Always follow your heart.”
I hope he gets the nomination in 2012.
While I moved from Virginia to New Jersey just as Warner became governor, I can testify that Virginia was and is a very well run state, especially compared to my current domicile. My fondest government interaction in Virginia, upon moving there in 1990 from Maryland, was the fact it took me only 20 minutes at the DMV to title and tag my car PLUS get my VA driver’s license. Any government that can make the DMV move that fast definitely has its act together. I sincerely hope Warner continues his advancement on the national stage – we need it!
Thanks for setting the record straight on Warner. I thought he was just a smooth talker who got lucky with his car phone startup.