A Message to the Left.
Governor Warner’s speeches in California and Iowa coupled with the creation of a PAC and other public appearances has created a low-volume buzz over his viability as a presidential candidate. For those of us who hope he runs and wins, this notoriety is welcome so early in the game. But, while Governor Warner has received mostly favorable musings from reporters and pundits (Howard Fineman, Salon, and George F. Will), the blogosphere is, generally, mixed. As I read specific Warner related postings as well as debates among liberal bloggers, I noticed an emerging theme. Some posts lamented that Governor Warner may be too centrist and not "liberal” enough to capture the liberal base or the so-called "democratic wing of the democratic party.” Other posts condemned the concept of "centrism" without even knowing the Governor’s positions on traditional liberal bread and butter issues. Indeed, just last week an entry in dailykos.com (www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/24/155649/635) determined that Governor Warner may be a “[p]roblem for the left."
Before this "emerging" theme becomes a generally accepted principle, I thought that a brief, and by no means comprehensive, summary of Governor Warner’s positions on traditional democratic issues, as articulated in his press releases and news articles, would help debunk the myth that Governor Warner will have a problem on the left. While not every one of his positions coincide with traditional liberal orthodoxy, Governor Warner clearly espouses core liberal principles, such as equality, fairness, equal justice, a woman’s right to choose, natural resource conservation, and the creation of a level playing field.
I shouldn’t have to remind members of the Democratic Party that we are a big tent party and accept different reasonable views. That inclusiveness is precisely what makes us different than the Republicans. Because Governor Warner may not tow the party line on every issue should not summarily disqualify him from leading our Party. Governor Warner’s centrism is based on seeking the right solutions to hard problems and if the right solution does not fit fully and neatly into liberal orthodoxy—well too bad. After all, great Democrats like Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Russell Feingold have parted from their Party's mainstream policies to further what they considered proper solutions to intractable problems.
I am certain that this country needs a leader with solutions not an ideologue only committed to furthering specific ideological goals. If you haven’t noticed, that is the type of leadership we have now and it is failing---miserably. And it should also be noted what is happening to the Republican Party as I write this blog. Republican moderates are being squeezed out of their Party because their leadership and political operatives shamelessly and unflinchingly take their marching orders from the extremes of their party and give no quarter to their moderates. Moreover, Republicans that do not completely tow the party line are severely punished. Just read former Senator John Danforth’s op-eds or listen to Senators John McCain, George Voinovich, Christopher Shays, and Lincoln Chafee as they try to deal with the Bush Administration. Is that the type of Party we want to be? Do we want to be a Party that ostracizes and alienates Democrats with ideas that may not completely appeal to the "base" of the Party? If not, then the so-called far-left should give Governor Warner a chance to make his case as to why he is the future of the Party.
As promised, below are Governor Warner's positions on traditional liberal issues. Remember these are gathered from his press releases and general news articles. I didn’t make them up.
Civil Rights: Governor Warner has given greater support and encouragement to minority owned businesses. Governor Warner has worked to put an end to racial profiling by signing a bill that requires police officers to undergo training and education to eliminate the abhorrent practice. He will also seek to encourage the recruitment and hiring of more minority law enforcement officers. Finally, Governor Warner supports hate crimes legislation to include sexual orientation. Governor Warner followed through on his pledge to support minority owned businesses by instituting the SWAM project, which was established to provide enhanced procurement opportunities to small businesses and to businesses owned by women and minorities (SWAM). According to www.blackcommercemall.com, the Commonwealth of Virginia is rated the friendliest state for black-owned businesses in a new annual study of The State of Black Business. And, according to Sharon E. Davis of www.quepasaWashington.com, "with a little over 18 months left in his administration, Warner has appointed nearly twice as many Hispanics to state boards and commissions than the previous two Governors combined. For the first time, the Latino community really does have a 'seat at the table' and a chance to contribute to the direction of Virginia. The efforts made by Governor Warner to include Latinos and other underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities in his government and in the political and policy decision-making will no doubt be one of his legacies when he leaves office in 2006."
Abortion: Mark Warner is pro-choice. Governor Warner supports the Roe v. Wade decision that protects a woman’s right to choose. Governor Warner does not support the parental notification law, but has pledged to follow Virginia law. Governor Warner supports a ban on partial-birth abortion with exceptions that protect the life or physical health of the mother. This position is no different that Hillary Clinton’s position. Finally, in 2004, Governor Warner signed a veto-proof fetal-homicide bill, after the Virginia General Assembly rejected his amendment to add language affirming a woman’s right to choose. After he signed the bill, Governor Warner was quoted by Michael Hardy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch as saying that "[g]iven that clear legislative intent and given my support for legislation that punishes violent acts against women, especially any violent act that results in harm to or death of a pregnant woman or her fetus, I have signed these bills into law.” These positions and others are available at www.roanoke.com/roatimes/election2001/gov.html.
Environment: On March 24, 2005, according to Governor Warner’s press release "Governor Mark R. Warner signed eight bills that significantly strengthen Virginia’s ability to protect its environment and to conserve its natural resources. This legislation provides funding for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, strengthens enforcement of environmental laws, and rewards companies and local governments that have outstanding environmental protection records.” You can see this quote and the content of the bills at www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Mar05/0324.htm.
Affirmative Action: In response to the Supreme Court's ruling that the University of Michigan can retain its policy on affirmative action, Governor Warner said "I am heartened by today's rulings. I come from the business world, and I think most business people will tell you that they want to recruit employees who were educated in an environment where they were exposed to diverse people and ideas. The Court was clearly persuaded by the overwhelming number of briefs in support of diversity filed by business, military, and civic leaders." He went on to say that "[a]s I have said many times in the past, I believe race should continue to be considered as one factor among many, and I continue to be opposed to the use of quotas." You can find these quotes at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2003/June03/0623.htm. And because actions speak louder than words, Governor Warner’s commitment to equality and fairness can be seen in his successful effort to reinstate Virginia Tech'’s affirmative action policy after the Board of Visitors voted to rescind it. To find more on this issue go to http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2003/Apr03/0406.htm.
Before this "emerging" theme becomes a generally accepted principle, I thought that a brief, and by no means comprehensive, summary of Governor Warner’s positions on traditional democratic issues, as articulated in his press releases and news articles, would help debunk the myth that Governor Warner will have a problem on the left. While not every one of his positions coincide with traditional liberal orthodoxy, Governor Warner clearly espouses core liberal principles, such as equality, fairness, equal justice, a woman’s right to choose, natural resource conservation, and the creation of a level playing field.
I shouldn’t have to remind members of the Democratic Party that we are a big tent party and accept different reasonable views. That inclusiveness is precisely what makes us different than the Republicans. Because Governor Warner may not tow the party line on every issue should not summarily disqualify him from leading our Party. Governor Warner’s centrism is based on seeking the right solutions to hard problems and if the right solution does not fit fully and neatly into liberal orthodoxy—well too bad. After all, great Democrats like Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Russell Feingold have parted from their Party's mainstream policies to further what they considered proper solutions to intractable problems.
I am certain that this country needs a leader with solutions not an ideologue only committed to furthering specific ideological goals. If you haven’t noticed, that is the type of leadership we have now and it is failing---miserably. And it should also be noted what is happening to the Republican Party as I write this blog. Republican moderates are being squeezed out of their Party because their leadership and political operatives shamelessly and unflinchingly take their marching orders from the extremes of their party and give no quarter to their moderates. Moreover, Republicans that do not completely tow the party line are severely punished. Just read former Senator John Danforth’s op-eds or listen to Senators John McCain, George Voinovich, Christopher Shays, and Lincoln Chafee as they try to deal with the Bush Administration. Is that the type of Party we want to be? Do we want to be a Party that ostracizes and alienates Democrats with ideas that may not completely appeal to the "base" of the Party? If not, then the so-called far-left should give Governor Warner a chance to make his case as to why he is the future of the Party.
As promised, below are Governor Warner's positions on traditional liberal issues. Remember these are gathered from his press releases and general news articles. I didn’t make them up.
Civil Rights: Governor Warner has given greater support and encouragement to minority owned businesses. Governor Warner has worked to put an end to racial profiling by signing a bill that requires police officers to undergo training and education to eliminate the abhorrent practice. He will also seek to encourage the recruitment and hiring of more minority law enforcement officers. Finally, Governor Warner supports hate crimes legislation to include sexual orientation. Governor Warner followed through on his pledge to support minority owned businesses by instituting the SWAM project, which was established to provide enhanced procurement opportunities to small businesses and to businesses owned by women and minorities (SWAM). According to www.blackcommercemall.com, the Commonwealth of Virginia is rated the friendliest state for black-owned businesses in a new annual study of The State of Black Business. And, according to Sharon E. Davis of www.quepasaWashington.com, "with a little over 18 months left in his administration, Warner has appointed nearly twice as many Hispanics to state boards and commissions than the previous two Governors combined. For the first time, the Latino community really does have a 'seat at the table' and a chance to contribute to the direction of Virginia. The efforts made by Governor Warner to include Latinos and other underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities in his government and in the political and policy decision-making will no doubt be one of his legacies when he leaves office in 2006."
Abortion: Mark Warner is pro-choice. Governor Warner supports the Roe v. Wade decision that protects a woman’s right to choose. Governor Warner does not support the parental notification law, but has pledged to follow Virginia law. Governor Warner supports a ban on partial-birth abortion with exceptions that protect the life or physical health of the mother. This position is no different that Hillary Clinton’s position. Finally, in 2004, Governor Warner signed a veto-proof fetal-homicide bill, after the Virginia General Assembly rejected his amendment to add language affirming a woman’s right to choose. After he signed the bill, Governor Warner was quoted by Michael Hardy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch as saying that "[g]iven that clear legislative intent and given my support for legislation that punishes violent acts against women, especially any violent act that results in harm to or death of a pregnant woman or her fetus, I have signed these bills into law.” These positions and others are available at www.roanoke.com/roatimes/election2001/gov.html.
Environment: On March 24, 2005, according to Governor Warner’s press release "Governor Mark R. Warner signed eight bills that significantly strengthen Virginia’s ability to protect its environment and to conserve its natural resources. This legislation provides funding for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, strengthens enforcement of environmental laws, and rewards companies and local governments that have outstanding environmental protection records.” You can see this quote and the content of the bills at www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Mar05/0324.htm.
Affirmative Action: In response to the Supreme Court's ruling that the University of Michigan can retain its policy on affirmative action, Governor Warner said "I am heartened by today's rulings. I come from the business world, and I think most business people will tell you that they want to recruit employees who were educated in an environment where they were exposed to diverse people and ideas. The Court was clearly persuaded by the overwhelming number of briefs in support of diversity filed by business, military, and civic leaders." He went on to say that "[a]s I have said many times in the past, I believe race should continue to be considered as one factor among many, and I continue to be opposed to the use of quotas." You can find these quotes at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2003/June03/0623.htm. And because actions speak louder than words, Governor Warner’s commitment to equality and fairness can be seen in his successful effort to reinstate Virginia Tech'’s affirmative action policy after the Board of Visitors voted to rescind it. To find more on this issue go to http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2003/Apr03/0406.htm.
