Warner breaks records and sets the ECS on fire

Virginia Governor Mark Warner is getting all the miles he can out of his flavor-of-the-month status. Last night he set a Virginia state record for most money raised in one day (at one event, nonetheless). At a $1000/plate dinner in the affluent Virgina town of McLean, he raised $2.5 million for his new PAC, Forward Together. According to dailypress.com, the potential presidential candidate prophetically told his contributors—most of whom donated the $5000 maximum—that “In extraordinary times, there are extraordinary opportunities. If we can do it in Virginia, we can do it in America." What exactly is 'it'? Of course, he's implying that though the current political landscape favors Republicans, there is an opportunity to put the country and political agenda back in the hands of Democrats.

For those who understand that winning the 'Solid South' is key for a Democratic presidential victory in the modern age of presidential politics, Warner has a number of attributes that puts his candidacy in the same tier as Clinton, Bayh, and Edwards. To begin with, he's a successful Southern governor from a traditionally Republican state. He has a reputation for being a centrist because of his ruralist approach to gun control and his commitment to fiscal conservatism (though he did raise taxes in Virginia during his term, he did so after cutting the budget where he could).

Another interesting point to make is that he will soon be joining the ranks of Edwards and Giuliani as potential candidates not holding an elected office. As some Horserace readers have pointed out, this may not be the disadvantage it appears to be. To begin with, he will not have to defend a Senate vote on the Iraq war which will leave his options open regarding how to address the whole war issue. In fact, being sans a Senate voting record will essentially leave his options open on all foreign affairs issues—though it will also leave him open to 'no experience' allegations.

The only major disadvantages he'll be facing in the immediate future is his record on tax increases and his recent decision to commute the death sentence of a convicted murderer, Robin Lovitt, because the case lacked the DNA evidence that Warner felt was requisite for the death penalty. This has one major implication for him; it will spike concerns that he is shifting from his current centrist position (which some Democrats feel is necessary to win the White House) to an extreme left ideology for the sake of winning the Democratic nomination. However, I don't foresee this being a real issue because the voters can't be expected to remember his decision on the Lovitt case three years from now.

There is no denying the fact that he thinking about a White House bid. He's recently been to New Hampshire and South Carolina where he received warm welcomes from political elites in those states. And, according to a source in the Louisiana Democratic Party, Democrats refuse to run two senators in the 2008 election. This makes his candidacy all the more appealing for party leaders.

The most interesting aspect of the recent Warner developments are the implications his $2.5 million PAC campaign fund has on the Election Championship Series (ECS). When punching in $2.5 million into the Warner 'cash in bank' and 'money raised' slots, he is propelled to a first place tie with Clinton—both with a 0.61 power rating. Oh how exciting this Horserace is turning out to be.