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October 13, 2006
Warner Drops Out
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner stunned fellow Democrats Thursday by announcing that he would not be a candidate for president in 2008, citing family considerations.Warner, a centrist, had been one of the most aggressive early campaigners among the large group of Democrats pursuing possible presidential bids. He had already lined up considerable financial support, made 67 trips to 28 states and hired a large number of advisers with national campaign experience.
There had been speculation that he would be the first candidate to formally announce a 2008 candidacy. But in a statement posted on his Web site and, later, at a hastily called news conference, Warner said that, for personal reasons, it was not "the right time for me to take the plunge. At this point, I want to have a real life."Warner's pullout could help New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the early favorite for the nomination.
So far so good, but what is this about?
It could also assist others who have been maneuvering to make themselves the leading alternative to Clinton. These include Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, whose message--that he is a Democrat who has won in a Republican state--was similar to Warner's, and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the party's 2004 vice presidential nominee who now is the lone Southerner in the likely '08 field."It's a huge boost to Evan Bayh," said Kenneth Baer, a speechwriting and policy consultant to Warner's organization. "I think it puts pressure on Edwards, because now he'll have to win in South Carolina," the first Southern primary state.
Okay, who was born in South Carolina and won the state by a wide margin in the 2004 primary? Didn't the DNC just make South Carolina one of the four early primary state when they added it plus New Mexico to offset New Hampshire and Iowa, where Edwards almost won. The only better news Edwards could get would be if Clark dropped out.
Posted by Mike at October 13, 2006 12:01 PM
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