Warner to tell Virginia story, tout Obama

By Bob Stuart

Published: August 25, 2008

Mark Warner will not “slash and burn’’ Republicans tonight, but will offer his version of what he calls Virginia’s bipartisan successes and a ringing endorsement of Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy.
The former Virginia governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Warner will deliver the keynote address at 9:30 tonight at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Warner also will talk about how the next president must deal with a global economy, changes in technology and “forces that don’t come with a traditional left-right viewpoint.”
“This is a real chance for Virginia to shine,’’ said Warner during a Monday afternoon teleconference from Denver, where he spent part of the morning practicing his speech. “It’s a chance to talk about how we got Republicans and Democrats to work together on issues, and how we did not leave parts of Southside and Southwest Virginia behind. This election is all about the future.”
Part of Warner’s message will focus on Obama’s rise from law school to the U.S. Senate and a presidential candidacy.
“This man has led a uniquely American dream story,’’ Warner said.
Warner said Obama “is working to make sure everybody gets a fair shot.”
Obama is what the American people are looking for, someone “who can get things fixed and who will improve their live,” Warner said.
Warner said he respects the service of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, but said he feels time and the issues have passed the Arizona senator by.
He said McCain says “let’s cut taxes and increase spending without worrying about deficits and not looking at climate change.”
While Warner has a large lead in his U.S. Senate race against Republican Jim Gilmore, he said his coattails will help but are not the answer for Obama in Virginia.
“The candidate has got to be able to close the deal,’’ he said. “You can’t transfer support from one person to another.”
Warner has received some coaching and word changes from a Democratic speaking expert, but said “they have not tried to influence more of the speech.”
“With a little nicer phrasing this is a pure Mark Warner speech,’’ he said.