September 13, 2007
Posted: September 13th, 2007 01:15 PM ET

The NRSC went live with a Web site seeking to paint Warner as a liberal.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republicans wasted no time Thursday in launching an all-out offensive on former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who announced in the morning he would seek the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. John Warner.

Warner, a Democrat, once flirted with the idea of running for his party’s 2008 presidential nomination.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee went live with a Web site: http://www.dontmarkwarner.com/, at about the same time Warner declared his candidacy via video on his campaign Web Site: http://www.markwarner2008.com/, and by e-mail to supporters.

The NRSC Web site seeks to paint Warner as a liberal lawmaker who raised taxes and vetoed a bill that would have outlawed partial birth abortion. Warner, who left the governor’s office with a high approval rating, often touts his ability to work across party lines. Meanwhile, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis are considering running for the Republican Senate nomination.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Filed under: Senate


St Louis Mo   September 14th, 2007 1:41 pm ET

8 years of dealing with government that sleeps in a dream world. This is just a another example to the waking of america that going to take place on election day. IT will be a map of the united states that will be blue. So blue it may look like global warming has covered the united states only leaving Canada and mexico showing on the map. HEHE

John   September 14th, 2007 11:24 am ET

Did anybody noticed that there is a link showing Mark Warner hunting record. Who cares about his hunting record in VA?

Jeff, Midlothian, VA   September 14th, 2007 5:05 am ET

I simply find it entertaining that they are attacking a former governor for Virginia that is actually a Moderate Democrat. Not only is he a Moderate Democrat but he left after his constitutionally limited one-term as governor with a 72% approval rating, something Gilmore could only dream of and the President hasn't seen in years. Mark Warner is perfect to fill this seat and will do great things for the state of Virginia, as the new Senator he will be not only a great asset to the people of Virginia with his former Lt. Governor as the current Governor but also a great asset to the people of Virginia by continuing John Warner's legacy of dedicated service to the
people of Virginia and the country.

Is it just me or is it hilarious that Republicans are so afraid of a candidate they are running not being good enough that they have to literally try and jump on top of the Democratic candidate with lies and smears before he has even secured campaign staff? Mark Warner has a great chance and will not find any strong challenges from those already being mentioned as his opponents, former Gov. Gilmore and Representative Tom Davis. Mark Warner will be the next Senator from Virginia.

James, Phoenix AZ   September 13th, 2007 7:39 pm ET

"There are no liberal politicians in Virginia, just three digit IQ democrats and two digit IQ republicans."

Only an individual with a lower two digit IQ would make such a baseless blanket statement about an entire group of people.

Ed, based on your breakdown – you must be a 3rd Generation Republican?

Ed, Abingdon, VA   September 13th, 2007 5:38 pm ET

There are no liberal politicians in Virginia, just three digit IQ democrats and two digit IQ republicans.

Raymond, El Paso TX   September 13th, 2007 4:50 pm ET

No wonder Rove did the ol' "cut and run" from Bush. Republicans must REALLY be worried.

But have no fear, Rove is here! ...well, at least until he really gets going. Then we're all in for another good dose of the fear machine since that's the only way Republicans can keep their sheep together.

Liberal Media NY, NY   September 13th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

People who say Oprah is just supporting Obama because he's black, must not realize just how insulting that comes across. If a black person supports another black person, (usually) white people say it's because of race alone. Totally disregarding that Oprah is an intelligent, educated successful person capable of making intelligent decisions based on important facts. Obama is NOT the firt black alternative to come along (jackson, sharpton, chisolm have also run). Oprah knows Obama personally and knows better than anyone where he stands on the issues. My white brothers and sisters please stop accusing blacks of supporting other blacks just because of race. For the entire history of this country we've supported whites (when blacks were allowed to vote), I think we've done enough to prove we're willing to support whomever we think is the best candidate. I don't see anyone criticizing blacks for supporting Hillary, I guess blacks are allowed to do that. Just as long as they're not black. Please, give Oprah the respect to choose just like the rest of us do (and I'd hate to know what reasons people have for supporting the candidates they choose, I don't think those reasons would be too intellectuall based considering the quality of the average american's education.)

Posted By monica, rochester new york : September 13, 2007 3:57 pm

CS, Dallas, TX   September 13th, 2007 3:22 pm ET

this "DontMarkWarner" ad- aka "The GOP is desperate to hang on to a Senate seat they know they're likely to lose

steve albuquerque   September 13th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

geez, how scared are the repubs of Mark Warner – already a negative web site and he has only been in the race for about 2 hours

makes me wish he were running for president instead

Veronica, Stamford, CT   September 13th, 2007 3:04 pm ET

Good Republicans, keep going with the smear-tactics and slime-ball campaigns, you know, the ones the people are SICK OF. Keep concentrating your efforts on swift-boating the Dems ... it just shows us how out of touch with reality you are; it just shows us how desperate you are.

Anonymous   September 13th, 2007 2:48 pm ET

This kind of attack so early on shows that Mark Warner is a clear threat to the GOP and they know they will lose this seat.

Jon, New Orleans LA   September 13th, 2007 2:34 pm ET

Thank you, George Bush. You have assured us of better days with more Dems in office!

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   September 13th, 2007 2:33 pm ET

I am proud to be a "liberal" who liberally construes the Constitution according to its Framers' intent, to to secure the blessings of liberty to the people governed by it. Liberty isn't just for liberals, it protects everyone from tyranny and injustice. Even the whiners in the GOP.

James Cahill, Annandale, VA   September 13th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

Ahh, yes- "partial birth abortion", clearly one of the most important issues facing Virginia's voters.

The issue of meeting Virgina's shaky budget for transportation and education is a perennial problem. Republicans historically have terrible angst about raising state taxes– yet when forced to develop a solution, the result is things like the the new law that charges speeding fines (for Virginia drivers only) up to $3000.

This is nothing new for Virginia politics. Smear, smear, smear.

John, St. Louis, MO   September 13th, 2007 2:11 pm ET

I'm a Republican and this bothers me. How about instead of putting all this effort to debunk Gov. Warner's campaign, we actually put some candidates up against him. Run to win, don't run to make him lose...

Pat, Huntington, NY   September 13th, 2007 2:09 pm ET

Republicans never cease to amaze me. Warner inherited a financial economic mess from his Republican predecessor, who was....you guessed right...Gillmore! And the VA republican controlled legislature, knew they had to work with Warner to fix the mess. No one in VA complained. And he's considered moderate.

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