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