A call to Democratic Virginia bloggers

Raising Kane is launching a new effort that needs the help of all progressive Virginia bloggers:

“The plan? To have online events that encourage support for our Democrats. Live blogs, messaging, fundraising, “adopt a candidate” drives, contests — you think it up, we’ll do it. We’d like to get any and all bloggers engaged in this effort. And the point is to increase the volume and messaging about Virginia ‘07 to get more funds, volunteers, and – of course – voters for our candidates in November.

But first order of business: Recommend this Daily Kos diary. Let’s get the national netroots fired up about Virginia 2007 too.

Next, if this sounds like just what you’ve been waiting for, email me at rob@raisingkaine.com. And, of course, feel free to drop some ideas in the comments. “

At least head over to Raising Kane and check out the diary when you get the chance. This is a real chance to make a real difference.  Also, this song is kind of awesome.

Edwards’ Response

Here are the remarks that Edwards gave in response to President Bush’s address last night in case you missed it :

Discussion is also going on over at DailyKos.

RNSC Attacks Warner – Already

Well, the NRSC didn’t waste anytime in going after Mark Warner. They already have an attack website up and running over at Don’t Mark Warner. The site paints him as a liberal and attacks him for raising taxes at the same time – targeting both sides of the Virginia electorate. The site includes links to articles and YouTube video against the former Virginia governor, features an email list to sign up for updates, but even on top of all of that – you guessed it, make a contribution. Way to go guys – didn’t take long, not even 24 hours…

And here’s their YouTube attack, warning – its kinda scary:

And here’s their ugly first draft of a website:

 

Mark Warner YouTube

Although the Washington Post reports that Mark Warner will not start campaigning until after the November elections, his campaign is already up and running on the internets. Up first, as Raising Kane reports – he has a website up at Mark Warner 2008. A step beyond shows that Mark Warner has also started his online campaign with a YouTube channel – MarkWarner08 and this video:

UPDATE: The Politico reports the official announcement now too and Raising Kane now has the official email.

Marking Warner For Senate…

Josh Kraushaar reports at The Politico that tomorrow Mark Warner will announce his intentions to run for office , and HamptonRoads.com takes it a step further reporting:

“One strategist who asked not to be identified said Warner has put out word to a few that he has decided on the Senate. Many others said Warner had indicated in conversations with them in recent days that he is leaning heavily toward the Senate.

‘I’d be surprised if he didn’t run for the Senate,’ said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist, who said he spoke with Warner on Friday night.

One ally, who spoke with Warner on Monday, said the former governor put his chances of declaring for the Senate at ‘80-20.’”

Presently this seems like a smart move considering what Rasmussen reported Tuesday:

“In a match-up of former Virginia Governors, a Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds Warner leading Jim Gilmore by twenty percentage points, 54% to 34%. Warner also starts the season with a comfortable lead over Virginia Congressman Tom Davis. The Rasmussen Reports poll shows Warner attracting 57% of the vote while Davis earns 30%.”

My only problem is that Mark Warner has the potential to be major figure in the future of the Democratic Party, and if he runs for Senate that will be most likely the highest post he will ever achieve. If the past is any indication – if you become a Senator you will stay a Senator (yes I know JFK moved on, but he’s the last). Warner is a perfect fit for a Democratic Vice President – he has a good record and high popularity as a Governor in a southern red state. Additionally, another good term as Governor of Virginia only makes him look even better – which George Allen is currently setting himself up to run for again.

Its well know that the Dems in DC, like Sen. Chuck Schumer of the DSCC, have been pushing for Mark Warner to run for Senate for a while now should Sen. John Warner retire, and it looks like they will get their wish. I know it is a good thing for the Party – and helps us get one seat closer to 60 should he will. But my question is it better for Virginia Democrats, and if becoming a Senator dooms him from maximizing his potential for other national offices down the road – is that not worse for Democrats nationally and Mark Warner himself?

 UPDATE: From the Politico:

 ”Former Virginia governor Mark Warner (D) will announce that he will be running for the Senate tomorrow morning, according to two sources familiar with Warner’s thinking… 

He will not be making a public announcement tomorrow, only sending his e-mail announcement to supporters tomorrow morning informing them of his decision to run for the Senate.”

Stoller’s Stand – Stop the DC Establishment

Open Left’s Matt Stoller’s newest effort – along with Salon’s Glenn Greenwald and firedoglake’s Jane Hamsher – is an “action campaign” to send a message to all those inside the Beltway who are enabling the war in Iraq to continue without end. The effort is called Stop the DC Establishment and it is starting with a petition that will be delivered to the Democratic leadership that says:

“By signing this peitition, you are demanding that reporters acknowledge Petraeus’s long record of errant judgment in Iraq. You are also demanding that politicians to heed the public will and vote against this occupation, by refusing to vote for any bill that funds the war that does not contain binding timelines for withdrawal that compel Bush to remove troops. Anything else enables the occupation of Iraq until at least the end of Bush’s Presidency. Enough is enough. The noxious stew of DC ‘experts’, journalists, and political leaders of both parties that keep troops in Iraq needs to hear our anger.”

It is important that we send the Establishment a clear message – because it is clear that Bush will prolong this war until January 2009 if they let them. Today both Republicans and Democrats are both acknowledging that the surge isn’t working, this morning even, George Will wrote, “the surge has failed, as measured by the president’s and Petraeus’ standards of success.”

And yet, the narrative that is quickly taking shape is that the Bush administration will offer a minor troop withdraw to placate moderate Democrats and squash any hopes of any substantial efforts to bring our troops home. Additionally, there is already some hint that the media will try and pit the Democratic base against the Bush Dogs to further quell our efforts to bring this war to an end, and help Bush get a little closer to January ’09.

This is not acceptable, but it will come and go just like the surge – and all we will be left is more lost time in Iraq.

 Here’s the video:

MSNBC: Extreme Makeover – al Qaeda Edition!

MSNBC reports today:

“Bin Laden’s beard appears to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders, said Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute, a Washington-based group that monitors terror messages. ‘I think it works for their (al-Qaida’s) benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy,’ Katz said.”

MSNBC analysis is from Osama bin Laden’s most recent video that the White House reportedly grabbed a copy of which is his first since 2004 – and apparently the new look is absolutely fabulous. No real word on the message yet, but his new look is sure to turn some burkas this season. Also – be sure to check out MSNBC’s video analysis of his backdrop too (2:45 in), can you smell what’s next?

MSNBC’s Queer Eye for the Exploding Guy!?!? Only if we’re lucky…

 UPDATE:  AFP/Yahoo News shares:

“Questions over the elusive Saudi extremist’s beard cropped up at a Congressional hearing Monday featuring top US security experts, including Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell.

‘First, is this his beard?’ Republican Senator Norm Coleman asked the spy chief. ‘Do we expect that — is it a signal?’

McConnell swiftly rejected any possibility that the hair in his chin was intended to send any signal to his Al-Qaeda members.”

Warner Won’t Run Again

Live on CNN - Senator John Warner just announced at the steps of UVA, where he attended law school, that he will not seek reelection. The door is now open for Rep. Davis, Gov. Gilmore, or – or possibly a second Democrat? The opportunity is now here for – in the period of just two years – our historically red southern state to have two Democratic Senators.

Warner to announce tomorrow

 UPDATE:The Examiner: “According to GOP campaign and congressional sources, the 80-year-old Warner has informed them he will retire when his fifth term ends at the end of next year.”

Just in from the Politico:

“Sen. John Warner will announce tomorrow at the University of Virginia whether or not he intends to seek a sixth term, according to two top Virginia sources. Warner is planning a 2 p.m. news conference on the grounds of the Charlottesville, Va., school, where he took his law degree over 50 years ago. “

My guess is there will be quite a few Virginians on both sides of the aisle listening in…

Freepers Fail Davis

Yesterday Rep. Tom Davis went to the  Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke to speak to a very liberal leaning group of Virginians about the war in Iraq the Washington Post reports this morning (there’s even video).  You can imagine the result: the Post reports on Davis constant battering from the anti-war crowd and noticeable discomfort in the circum stance.  But on to the best part:

 “The conservative Web site Free Republic, getting wind of yesterday’s meeting by what it called the antiwar ‘moonbats,’ urged its patrons to attend and ‘inject a little verbal calcium into [Davis's] backbone.’ But the Freepers, as they call themselves, didn’t show up, leaving Davis (dubbed a RINO, Republican in name only, by conservatives) free to pander to the moonbats.”

 Hilarious.  I went over to Free Republic this morning and here’s a taste of what they were saying on Tuesday: “Please go get ‘em and give them he**” and “Bring other friends, too, if you can.”  Not only that – they even posted a Google map to the event:

 

And after all of that?  Here’s what they were saying this morning: “So Sorry to let you down!”  “Sorry, I couldn’t make it either.”  “My toddler had a meltdown.”  “I had medical problems here and couldn’t make it.”  “I missed it, got stuck in DC all afternoon.”  Glorious, absolutely glorious – great job guys, you left Davis to pander to the left and be even more of a RINO sell-out to your “stay the course” crowd than he already is.  But wait, I’ll leave you with the best comment for last:

“To: All The failure of any Freepers to attend was noted in today’s Washington Post.”

 Yes, yes it was.  Apparently the “verbal calcium” of the Free Republic is only virtual calcium.  But hey, maybe Davis can set up a call in number for the next one guys?  Guys?  Anyone? Hello?