Mark Warner - U.S. Senate

What you've been saying

Yesterday, we passed around some of the early reaction from TV’s talking heads said about Governor Warner’s keynote speech on Tuesday. In the days since, we’ve been receiving a number of emails from regular voters here in Virginia and from folks across the country telling us how much they appreciated the Governor’s vision for keeping our nation competitive in the years to come. Here is a sample of some of feedback:

Mark was wonderful.. I was very worried about this convention because the Republicans are nasty and that nastiness works as we well know. The talk was that Mark was going to be too gentle because he is a consensus maker but he did a fab job and said what needed saying. Virginia should be well proud! Pattie

I have waited some 20 years for the Democratic Party to have a guy like Mark at the helm. He is one of the few that ‘gets it.’ We need bridge builders and do-ers like him now rather than the ‘raw meat’ speakers. Marcus

Thank you, Mark! Great speech! Your participation crystallized however diverse the Democratic Party really is, and how important it is to plot the nation's course for future-working together. Frank

We were very proud of you last night. You made Virginia shine as a place that breeds leaders and common-sense leadership. Respectfully, Sue and Jim

Please tell Mark Warner that I've never been so proud to be a Virginian as I was last night when he gave his speech. … Good job... keep the faith Bonnie

What a truly great and thoughtful speech! I am so proud of you, and so proud to be a Virginian! Sincerely, Mary

How proud I am to be a Virginian and an American. Your speech can help to move this nation forward and the stories you shared tonight about what has been happening in Virginia can be an example of what can happen in all of America if we have the leadership who is willing to work through all of the partisanship to do what is in the best interest of the all the people. I have known you for many years Mark, since before you were State Party Chair, and you know one of the things that impresses me the most is that you have remained true to yourself and you have not lost sight or forgotten those you have met along your journey. … All Best, Sandra

After the keynote

I stopped by the Virginia delegation’s breakfast this morning to thank them for their support and enthusiastic response to last night’s keynote speech. I was energized by the support of the folks from Virginia as I delivered the speech, especially since they were seated on the floor so close to the podium.

The theme of my keynote speech – that you can find common ground to produce real results – is a powerful one, and I’ve been pleased at the number of folks who stopped me today and said they really appreciated our message of bipartisanship and our focus in Virginia on results.

After breakfast, we dropped by a gathering of the Congressional Black Caucus, arriving as Michelle Obama was speaking. Imagine my luck – first I deliver the keynote address four years after Barack, then I found myself addressing the CBC right after Michelle!

I also got a chance to sit down with editors and reporters from the Wall Street Journal. We had a good discussion about ideas for improving our nation’s competitiveness, and they asked for my thoughts on strengthening the economy in rural parts of our country. I also ran into a crew from Voice of America, the international network that broadcasts American news in 45 different languages. They were working on a story about American politics, and I got a chance to talk about America’s role in the global economy

Thanks to everyone for their feedback on my keynote address. It was a great opportunity and I hope that I was able to share a bit of what we’ve done here in Virginia with the rest of the country and hope we can take that approach to Washington.

"Diggin' me some Mark Warner"

The reaction to Governor Warner’s keynote address is coming in and almost everyone and Virginia voters and national commentators are applauding his vision for the future of our nation. At supporter-organized watch parties across the Commonwealth and on the Internet, Virginians and Americans gathered to watch the speech and see the Governor’s call to arms.

The Daily Press was at a watch party in James City:

“He kind of took some stories from around Virginia. That was kind of neat,” said Scott Kupiec, 24, of Williamsburg. “I liked the local focus. It was a morale boost for Virginians. I grew up with small towns so I can totally relate to that,” he said.

“I was excited to hear him talking about the future and all the things that we should be getting ready to do,” said Roger Helmick, 52, of James City County. ...

“I really liked the part where he brought up how the Bush administration didn’t ask the citizens to step up,” said Helmick’s wife, Lynne. “In every other major conflict the average American has been asked to help and sacrifice. We’ve gotten into these costly wars but it doesn’t affect any of us who don’t have families serving,” she added.

The Washington Post wrote:

Gaylene Kanoyton, 48, a delegate from Hampton, Va., said that Warner is known for going “across party lines” and that she appreciated that he talked more about issues than simply beating up on Bush.

“Mark Warner focused on the issues and the need to get the job done,” she said.

George Wallace , 68, another Hampton delegate, said: “He drew clear analogies about what the issues are and what the country needs to understand is at risk.”

The Governor’s speech emphasized the need to stay competitive by embracing science and technology. “America has never been afraid of the future, and we shouldn’t start now,” he said.

Many of our followers on Twitter particularly enjoyed the line about science. Wired News collected these tweets:

• jlangenbeck : “Warner’s speech was fantastic. We have to fund and tech to save this nation and remain competitive,”
• epolitics: Diggin’ me some Mark Warner. Science! (poetry in motion)
• dagsalot : I’m a big fan of former Gov. Mark Warner right now. “Think, in 4 months, we could have a presidency that believes in science!” It’d be nice!
• twitterdoug : Best line of Warner’s speech so far – In four months we will have an administration that believes in science.

Buzz on the Speech

Watch what everyone’s saying about Governor Warner’s keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention last night:

Video: Mark Warner with NBC's Brian Williams

After Governor Warner delivered the keynote address, he stopped by the NBC News studio and talked to Brian Williams about the vision for the future that he outlined in his speech. Here is the interview:

Our Common Ground

I’ll keep this brief – my staff is pushing me toward a group of waiting reporters – but I wanted to just give you a couple of quick thoughts after delivering tonight’s Convention keynote address.

Having the opportunity to share the Virginia story with a nationwide audience was a humbling experience. But it was great to look out from the podium and see people cheering and nodding in approval – not just Virginia delegates, but folks from across the country.

Like I said earlier, it’s time for leadership that sees our common ground as sacred ground. I can’t wait to come back to Virginia and continue working hard over the next two months for the privilege of taking some Virginia common sense to Washington and the United States Senate.

The Keynote Address: The Race for the Future

In his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Governor Warner outlined his strategy to compete in the race for the future.

“We need leaders who see our common ground as sacred ground,” he said. “We need leaders who will appeal to us not as Republicans or Democrats, but first and foremost as Americans.”

Click here to see or read the speech as delivered.

Video: Mark Warner with PBS's Judy Woodruff

The News Hour previewed Mark Warner's keynote speech with an interview from Judy Woodruff:

Virginia as an economic model

Governor Warner sat down for an interview yesterday with Forbes.com, the leading business journal that has named Virginia the "Best State for Business" three years in a row. The Governor said his speech tonight will promote Virginia "as a model state for business"

"What we've got to continue to do is make investments in infrastructure, we've got to keep our tax rate low, we've got to make sure that the federal government's actually a partner and not a hindrance in terms of business development in the state," he told Forbes.com in an interview. "I'm really proud of the fact that we've got a diversified economy in Virginia."

Forbes says that since the theme of the day will be "Renewing America's Promise" and will focus on how we can fix our economy, Governor Warner is a good fit, considering his record of bringing the state out of a $6 billion budget shortfall and leaving the state with a surplus that allowed for investments in health care, education, and the environment.

Warner says he's one of the few politicians who can "actually read a balance sheet, unlike a lot of folks in Congress." Perhaps he'll use his address Tuesday evening to let others in on the secret.

An afternoon of interviews

We spent much of today speaking with reporters from Virginia and across the country about Governor Warner’s record of success and Virginia’s role in this fall’s election.

In addition to his interviews on MSNBC this morning – one with “Morning Joe” and another with Chuck Todd – Governor Warner also sat down with editors and reporters from Politico. The widely-read political website/newspaper was launched by former Washington Post Virginia reporters John Harris, Mike Allen and Jim Vandehei, all of whom covered the Richmond statehouse and have reported on various elements of Mark Warner’s career, from his first run for Senate in 1996 to his successful bid for Governor in 2001.

In the interview, the Governor – whom they described as a “rising Democratic star” – talked about the time he’s spent with Senator Obama in rural Virginia:

Governor Warner said the Illinois senator must connect with rural parts of the state, where Warner ran ahead of previous statewide Democratic candidates in 2001.

Specifically, Warner praised Obama for his recent campaign stops in Lynchburg, Emporia and Martinsville.

He noted that the last time a presidential candidate campaigned in the small city of Martinsville — known for its NASCAR speedway — was Republican Dwight Eisenhower more than half a century ago.

“There are some cultural connections that you’ve got to make, guns being one of them,” Warner said.

We also checked out the podium one more time today to give the Governor a better feel for the stage. While we were there, we ran into University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato, who chatted briefly with Governor Warner about this fall’s election.

Video: Mark Warner on MSNBC

Governor Warner was on during MSNBC noon hour with their political director, Chuck Todd. He joined Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado and talked about the changing demographics of these so-called "red" states.

Governor Warner added that his speech tomorrow night will also focus on how you bring the country together and get things done.

Breakfast with Virginia's Delegates

Governor Warner stopped by a packed breakfast reception for Virginia’s delegates this morning after his early “Morning Joe” appearance. He got a chance to rally the crowd and the media who were already excited about Virginia’s new prominence in the convention.

The Governor told the delegates that he was really excited for tomorrow night’s big speech and talked about how happy he was to see that Virginia is no longer sitting in the rafters of the convention hall—this year, we’re on the floor, signifying our crucial role this election cycle.

He also talked about his recent basketball injury, which left him hobbling for a couple of weeks but is now almost completely recovered. He admitted that he’s probably too old to be playing basketball with 19 year olds and concluded that he now probably needs to give up the dream of a post-50 NBA career and stick to politics.

UPDATE by Riki Parikh: The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot’s Kerry Dougherty posted a report from the breakfast. She writes:

Monday’s main speaker was former Gov. Mark Warner, who gave a pep talk that was surprisingly conciliatory toward Republicans and Independents. Considering his audience, that is.

“We’ve got to focus on good ideas whether they have a D in front of them or an R,” he said, joking that he was committing a bit of heresy by saying so.

He got a standing O anyway.

And, courtesy of the Washington Times, he’s what Governor Warner said to the delegates this morning about their seats in the Pepsi Center:

“Wait till you get to the hall and see where the Virginia delegation sits,” Warner told a cheering crowd of Virginia delegates yesterday morning. The delegation is seated one section back from the stage, behind only the Illinois and Delaware delegations—a nod to the home states of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, respectively.

UPDATE #2 by Riki Parikh: We have video of some of the Governor’s remarks at the breakfast:

Video: Mark Warner on "Morning Joe"

Here is a clip from Governor Warner’s appearance on “Morning Joe” this morning. The Governor woke up early this morning to meet Joe and Mika at Sam’s #3 Diner in Denver. He said that his speech tomorrow night will share a bit of the Virginia story:

We actually got Democrats and Republicans to work together. We can’t forget there’s an awful lot of America that has been forgotten by both parties for the last 30 years – small-town America – and… we’ve got to turn the page.

Joe joked that “Republicans get nervous when guys like you run for office because you figure out how to get the Democratic base but also small-town America.” The Governor said that’s because you have to let those regions know that you’re not going to forget about them by working to bring world-class jobs and educational opportunities to those communities.

Supporter Jeff Wurzburg, a lawyer and supporter of Mark Warner from Northern Virginia, sent us this email of his reaction to the appearance:

Saw Governor Warner Monday morning on Morning Joe. He was being interviewed with Andrea Mitchell and Terry Mcauliffe, but Joe’s attention and praise fell squarely on Governor Warner. He spoke eloquently about what Senator Obama needs to do in order to win in Virginia, including the importance of paying attention the needs of rural Virginia. Joe Scarborough went out of his way to praise Governor Warner’s principled leadership and ability to work across party lines to get the job done. Joe even stated that had Barack Obama put Governor Warner on the ticket, it would have ensured victory in Virginia. It was a proud moment for Virginia, and again showed why we must do everything we can to make sure Governor Warner is elected to the United States Senate this November!

Blogging from the Convention

Governor Warner is at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week, where he will give the keynote address on Tuesday night. Make sure to check out the Convention Blog for updates of the Governor's activities. He and our staff will be blogging and sharing their stories and pictures throughout the week. Visit the Convention Blog now!

A tangible record of achievement

Governor Warner and his family are on their way to Denver for the Convention. The Governor will continue working on his keynote speech before joining members of the Virginia delegation at the Dave Matthews concert tonight.

Columnist Christina Nuckols of the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot wrote about Governor Warner’s high-profile speaking role this morning. She writes that the Governor has “a tangible record of achievement to back his ideals. That puts Warner in the front ranks of the new Democrats, and Obama is wise to incorporate the Virginian’s successes into his own vision for the future.”

Here’s more:

The pumped-up partisans in Denver would be thrilled if Warner used his primetime speech to give Republicans a good thumping. But Warner is more comfortable delivering a treatise on the virtues of good government, economic investment and bipartisan cooperation. He’s promised to leave his infamous PowerPoint presentations at home this week, but that’s his only concession.

“If you’re looking for the red meat, bashing speech, that’s not me,” he said in an interview. “It would seem phony and contradictory if I did that.”

...

The themes winding through Warner’s speech will be familiar to Virginians who elected him governor in 2001. As a Senate candidate this year, he’s woven his can-do pragmatism into a blueprint for progress on tough issues like economic recovery, energy policy and health care.

“We can’t just pretend the Democratic Party has got all the answers,” he said. “Unless you can forge bipartisan coalitions and rally the country together, you’re not going to change our energy policy or make ourselves more competitive.”

The energy crisis has become a favorite topic for Warner and will be an element of the speech.

“This should be where America shines,” he said. “We have this problem, and it’s going to be solved by innovation and technology. It’s a classic example of where this country could put its best minds together and solve it. Washington turns it into either all alternative energy or all drilling, and it’s not.”

Click here to read the whole column.

Town hall in Martinsville

Governor Warner joined Senator Barack Obama in Martinsville yesterday for a town hall meeting at Patrick Henry Community College motorsports facility in the Patriot Centre industrial park. The discussion focused on jobs and the economy, a topic that hits close to home for many in Martinsville.

Per USA Today:

Obama held his town hall in a facility where students train to assemble and repair vehicles for the motorsports industry. “Folks in this community love racing,” former Virginia governor Mark Warner, who is running for the Senate this year, told Obama. Later they went next door to tour the Arrington Engines plant, which makes engines for NASCAR.

Martinsville and Southside Virginia hold a special place in Governor Warner’s heart. The Washington Post said: “At times, the crowd greeted the former governor with more enthusiasm than the presidential hopeful.”

As Governor, he spent a lot of time focusing on bringing 21st Century jobs to areas of Virginia that were often ignored and left to deal with the changing economy on their own.

The Virginian-Pilot editorial board summed up Governor Warner’s record in the region:

Obama’s companion on his trip to Martinsville, Senate candidate Mark Warner, should serve as a valuable guide and a model for offering realistic help instead of false hopes. Warner believes in free trade and has never backtracked on his embrace of globalization, but Southsiders view him as an ally who did not forget them when he was elected governor. When the Pillowtex plant closed in 2003, Warner was there in person to mobilize unemployment assistance and arrange for federal retraining grants.

With his numerous visits, he kept a spotlight on the region that helped spur investment, jobs and ideas to help it adapt to, and better compete in, a demanding global economy. He also secured funding for Martinsville’s New College Institute, just now getting off the ground, which offers college degrees through partnerships with state universities, such as Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, Longwood and Radford.

After the town hall, Senator Obama bought Governor Warner lunch at Short Sugar’s Bar-B-Q in Danville.

Per the Danville Register & Bee:

Obama was accompanied by U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner, who suggested Short Sugar’s as a good stop. Obama ordered a chopped sandwich and two pounds of smoked ribs for the crew, while Warner ordered a minced barbecue sandwich and a sweet tea.

To see more pictures, click here.

Attend a Convention Watch Party

We’re getting ready for Governor Warner’s big speech next Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, where he’ll give the keynote address before a national television audience.

It’ll be a great opportunity for our campaign to introduce Governor Warner and his record of success to people across the Commonwealth who are new to the state or new to the process. As Governor Warner makes his speech, supporters will be gathering together in their communities with their friends and neighbors – and even people they’ve never met.

We’ve created a tool that will help you find a watch party near you. Click here to enter your zip code and find a watch party in your area. If you can’t find one close enough or if you’d rather host your own, click here.

Mike Henry, our campaign manager, sent an email to our supporters asking them to sign up to attend a watch party. Here is the email:

Riki—

One week from tonight, the eyes of the nation will turn to Virginia.

When Mark Warner delivers the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention next Tuesday, millions of Americans will be learning about Governor Warner for the first time, and we want you to help bring them into the fold.

Supporters across the Commonwealth will be hosting parties simultaneously to watch the big speech. It’s easy to join in. Just click on the link below, type in your zip code, select how many miles you’re willing to travel, and hit “submit.” You’ll see a list of parties in your area, and you can click on the party you’d like to attend in order to RSVP.

By attending a Convention Watch Party with friends and neighbors, you can help spread the word about Mark Warner’s brand of results-oriented leadership.

Please Sign Up to Attend a Convention Watch Party

If you can’t find a party in your area, it’s not too late to host one yourself.

Just follow the links in this email, and register your party on our website. You can make the event public so others can search for it on MarkWarner2008.com, or make it private and just invite friends.

Please Sign Up to Attend a Convention Watch Party

Virginians are energized for this election like we haven’t been in a long time. And we’re counting on you to seize that enthusiasm and use it to point our country in a new direction.

Thank You,

Mike Henry
Campaign Manager

Innovation for our future

Governor Warner met with employees at Unisys yesterday, an information technology company headquartered in Northern Virginia. After touring the company’s development facilities and watching demonstrations of their products, the Governor held a town hall-style meeting with more than 60 Unisys’ employees.

At the town hall, the Governor spoke about important progress the Commonwealth saw in education, health care, broadband deployment, and budget and fiscal responsibility. Throughout the conversation, Governor Warner spoke about the enormous challenges facing our country. Despite the daunting tasks facing the next Congress and President – balancing the federal budget, restoring the economy, energy, and improved access to education and health care – the Governor struck an optimistic tone, observing that Americans have always answered the call when confronted by similar challenges.

“I’m impressed by the Unisys team and the technology they are developing. Clearly Unisys is a leader in innovation here in Northern Virginia and nationally, providing the technology needed to enhance our homeland security efforts and improve the effectiveness of other government programs. This is a challenging time for our country, but I am confident that by encouraging the type of innovation I saw here at Unisys, our country will emerge from this period more competitive.”

Keynote Preview

The Washington Times previewed Governor Warner’s keynote speech at next week’s convention in Denver. The Governor said he plans to talk about the “Virginia story” – how he, as Governor, worked across party lines to restore fiscal responsibility to the state budget process and worked to create jobs and opportunity for people in regions of Virginia that were struggling economically.

From the article:

“I think there is such cynicism about ‘Can you get politics to work again?’ ” Mr. Warner told The Washington Times on Sunday on a break from speech preparation. “I don’t want to say we got it completely right in Virginia, but there is a bit of a Virginia story here that we found some way to get Republicans and Democrats to work together and actually get stuff done.”

…

“People in rural America are pretty much ignored other than in election time,” Mr. Warner said. “When I kept coming to Southside and Southwest, folks saw that it just wasn’t about politics and realized, ‘Hey, maybe this guy actually cares.’ “

He said young people need to be given reasons to stay in their hometowns instead of seeking jobs in other places.

As governor, Mr. Warner tended to the struggling regions, bringing new jobs and opportunities such as technological innovation. It’s probable he’ll mention those in the speech, along with Virginia’s prized bond rating and reputation as a business-friendly state.

If you haven’t already done so, sign-up now for Governor Warner’s Convention Diary. You’ll get email updates from Governor Warner while he’s out in Denver, with a behind-the-scenes look as he prepares to deliver his keynote address.

Join Women for Warner

Governor Warner’s wife, Lisa Collis, sent an email this morning launching Women for Warner, a statewide coalition of female leaders that will reach out to their friends, family and associates on behalf of our campaign.

Here is the email she sent:

Riki—

My husband, Mark Warner, and I have been married for over 19 years and have raised three daughters together. I know how hard he has advocated and fought for issues that matter most to the women of Virginia. Whether it’s improving our schools, fighting for better health care or keeping our communities safe, Mark has worked hard to deliver results.

Now is our chance to support him in that fight.

Today we are launching Women for Warner (WoW), a statewide coalition of women leaders who will reach out to friends, family , and co-workers on behalf of Mark’s campaign. And I’m asking you to help this effort by forwarding the message to your sister, your mother, your wife or any other woman in your life who might want to join us.

If you sign up today, we’ll send you a Women for Warner lapel pin as a gift.

Please Sign Up for Women for Warner.

Mark is once again traveling across Virginia as a job applicant. I can assure you that if Mark is elected to the U.S. Senate, he will apply the skills he honed in business and his record of strong effective leadership as governor in order to address the issues women recognize as important to their families and their community. But we need to help get him there.

Women have an incredibly powerful voice in our electoral process. In Virginia’s 2004 elections, 300,000 more women voted than men. So let’s do everything we can to put Mark in the U.S. Senate.

Please Sign Up for Women for Warner.

Thank You,

Lisa Collis
Former First Lady of Virginia

Video: Canvass Kickoff

Governor Warner was in suburban Richmond’s Chesterfield County yesterday at the kick-off of the Virginia Coordinated Campaign's office in Midlothian. More than 100 people were on hand to greet the Governor and sign-up for this weekend's door-to-door campaign activities.

Since May, we've opened 16 field offices across the state, and our organizers have recruited and dispatched over 3,430 volunteers in a massive operation to elect Mark Warner to the U.S. Senate. Over the last 15 weekends, our volunteers have knocked on almost 210,000 doors.

Check out this video from the recent canvass kickoff at our Fredericksburg office, where Governor Warner rallied the troops before they set out to knock on doors in the area.

If you're free this weekend and would like to help our team, call or visit your local field office:

Warner to Keynote Democratic Convention

We have some exciting news this morning. Governor Warner has been asked to be the keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado. He will speak in primetime on Tuesday, August 26th.

Obama for America campaign officials said Governor Warner’s proven record of results and bipartisanship make him a strong choice for the coveted speaking role. Tuesday’s convention program will be centered on a theme of creating jobs and restoring the U.S. economy.

In making the announcement, the Obama campaign said this:

An innovative businessman known for his ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, campaign officials said that Warner’s vision for Virginia and his leadership style echoed the Convention’s theme of Americans coming together for change.

In a statement, Governor Warner said:

I am excited about this chance to showcase some of the initiatives we launched here in Virginia and the results we achieved in our effort to help people compete in a changing economy. By working cooperatively with Republicans, Democrats and independents, we restored integrity to Virginia’s budget process and focused on bringing jobs to the hardest-hit regions in the Commonwealth. I’m pleased we will have a chance to share the Virginia success story at the Convention in Denver.

The Roanoke Times broke the news this morning. They wrote:

Warner… was elected governor in 2001 partly by reaching beyond traditional Democratic constituencies and making inroads in rural areas. He forged working coalitions with Republicans who controlled the General Assembly and won support for a 2004 tax increase that he deemed essential to shoring up the state’s finances. ... Warner’s focus on rural areas enhanced his standing among national Democrats and got the attention of Obama’s campaign. Obama appeared with Warner at a town hall-style meeting in Bristol, Va., in June, shortly after securing the delegate votes he needed for the presidential nomination.

Politico.com wrote this morning that Governor Warner is “a rising star in the party …” with “a post-partisan message.”

Governor Warner is going to be keeping a diary of his trip , providing real-time e-mail updates of everything he does in Denver. To see what’s goes on behind-the-scenes at the convention, click here to subscribe to Governor Warner’s Convention Diary. And stay tuned to our website for more information about his speech.

Video: Mark Warner in Southwest Virginia

Governor Warner returned to Southwest Virginia this week, making stops throughout the region.

Watch the video from his stops on Tuesday, when we hosted a roundtable discussion in Bristol, visited with senior citizens in Chilhowie, and held meet and greets in Marion, Wytheville, Hillsville and Independence, before attending the Fiddler’s Convention in Galax.

Here is our blog coverage from the stops:

– "I didn’t forget you"
– Touring Tazewell

Thanks to our summer interns

We’ve had a great group of interns this summer from across the state. They came from Virginia Tech, James Madison, the University of Virginia, William & Mary, George Mason and other schools with a passion to elect Governor Warner to the United State Senate – and there’s so much that we couldn’t have done without their help.

They have been in meetings with some of our steering committees, helped with events, prepared briefings, organized volunteer sign-ups, sat in on debate prep, canvassed and phone-banked. They came down with us to Hampton for the state party convention, worked the parade route with Governor Warner on the 4th of July, and went as far as Emporia for events like the Pork Festival. In addition, each of them rode along with Governor Warner to at least one event.

The speaker series with our senior staffers was definitely a highlight, and I know that each of our summer interns are going to go on to great things!

But the best thing about our group this summer was their dedication and camaraderie. Campaign hours aren’t the typical 9-5, but our interns was ready and willing to work any time we asked them to. It was great to have such enthusiastic and valuable additions to our team. We’re all sad to see them go, but wish them all the best of luck!

If you’d be interested in an internship with Governor Warner’s campaign, check out our ‘Call for Fall Interns.’

Investor Report

One of Governor Warner’s trademarks is bringing business practices to government. And businesses are accountable to their shareholders. We, at the Warner campaign, like treat our contributors like shareholders – people who are willing to give their money, who hope they will see a return on their investment. In this case, that investment is seeing that we bring Mark Warner’s record of leadership and results to the U.S. Senate.

To show you what we’ve been doing with your money, we’re releasing an investor report. Here is the email that our campaign manager, Mike Henry, sent out yesterday.

"I didn't forget you"

Governor Warner was back in Southwest Virginia today, as he campaigned through six localities on his way to the 73rd Annual Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax.

At Bristol’s Java J’s Coffee House, Governor Warner hosted a roundtable discussion with nearly 30 local business leaders and citizens. The conversation focused mostly on our nation’s challenges in energy and health care, and how both impact our ability to compete in the global economy. Governor Warner advocated implementing a comprehensive energy plan and embracing cost-saving reforms and a renewed focus on prevention to drive-down the cost of health care.

Here are two reports from the local media of the roundtable:

Following the roundtable discussion, Governor Warner was the guest at the Sinclar-Chilhowie Senior Citizens meeting, where he spoke before a gathering of 50 senior citizens. Since he was the last agenda item before lunch, Governor Warner made brief remarks, emphasizing the need for a health care fix and calling upon our generation to recognize and respect the sacrifices made by our parents and grandparents.

In the afternoon, Governor Warner visited with folks in Wytheville, Hillsville, and Independence, where he met with several large groups of supporters. In Wytheville, Governor Warner stopped by Skeeter’s – a tradition for him – to enjoy one of their world-famous hot dogs with mustard and coleslaw.

In Hillsville, Jonathan McGrady, a local attorney, gathered a group of 70 residents for a meeting with Governor Warner before he visited local shops on Main Street, including the local flower shop owned by the Mayor’s wife and the clock repair shop next door.

In Independence, more than 45 bankers stayed after work at the Grayson National Bank to meet Governor Warner.

He ended the day at the 73rd Annual Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, where he met folks from across the state and country who are enjoying the six-day music competition.

At nearly every stop, Governor Warner asked the crowd to remember that the best indication of what someone will do in the future is what they have done in the past. He reminded them of all the attention he gave Southwest Virginia – from the jobs he brought to other regional investments his administration supported – and asked them to remember that record when they vote this fall.

“I didn’t forget you when I was governor,” he said. “And I won’t forget you if I’m hired to the U.S. Senate.”

Check out pictures from our second jam-packed day through Southwest:

Touring Tazewell

Governor Warner was in Tazewell today, where he walked down Main Street and talked to folks at a lunchtime meet-and-greet at the American Legion.

Terry Mullins of the Tazewell County Historical Society welcomed Governor Warner with a photo album of gorgeous landscapes of Tazewell County. Accompanied by a heavy entourage of local elected officials, including Mayor Jack Harry and Sheriff H.S. Caudill. Governor Warner toured the local shops and businesses on Main Street.

After the walk, he was joined by State Sen. Phil Puckett, Del. Dan Bowling and Buchanan County Board of Supervisors Member Bill Wimmer at the meet-and-greet. Governor Warner addressed the crowd and took questions from more than 75 local residents.

One woman came with her 9-year-old son, who had previously met Governor Warner years ago when he was younger. His mother was has been so excited about Governor Warner’s visit; she’s been talking about it all week.

Governor Warner said that he hoped he made good on his promise during the 2001 gubernatorial campaign to remember the people of Southwest Virginia.

Over the course of his four-year term, Governor Warner we brought 135,000 new jobs to Virginia in a tough economy. In Southside and Southwest, he was able to attract $2 billion in new investment and create 32,000 jobs. Here are some of the pictures from the day: