From Political Wire:
Warner's Ways
Save some time this weekend to read the Sunday New York Times Magazine cover story on former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) who is quickly becoming the favorite alternative to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in the 2008 Democratic presidential race. The piece spends a lot of time on Warner's appeal to rural voters and his focus on technology and the global economy, but in this partisan and increasingly divisive era what caught my eye was this:
"As governor, he was known for inviting his opponents over to the mansion for drinks and then inviting them back again, until he’d earned their trust. The less inclined you are to like Warner, the more inclined he is to court you, which probably explains his counterintuitive bond with Virginia’s rural, less-educated voters."
I spent 15 minutes on the phone with Warner earlier this week and what's striking is how genuinely likable he is. He comes across as a real person because he actually listens and engages you in a real conversation. Very few politicians have this quality. Though he's very wealthy, grew up in Connecticut and went to Harvard Law School, it will be difficult for Republicans to paint Warner as a cultural elitist because he connects with the average person.
The other thing that struck me was how important the new book by Steve Jarding and Dave "Mudcat" Saunders may be in understanding Warner's political strategy and philosophy. It's out later this month and should be on your reading list.
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