South Carolina JJ Dinner Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Jennifer Pullinger (434) 227-1715

Mike Smith (703) 623-3834
media@draftmarkwarner.com


Draft Mark Warner for President Movement to
Build on Past Appearances by Gov. Mark Warner in South Carolina


April 24th 2006¾Draft Mark Warner will kick off its official South Carolina campaign to introduce state Democrats to Gov. Warner at the South Carolina Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th during the state convention in Columbia. Draft Mark Warner is the Internet-based grassroots organization supporting former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner for President in 2008. This is the first time the group will appear at an event where another presumed presidential candidate, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, will address the JJ Dinner audience.

The DraftMarkWarner.com website went online within days after the 2004 presidential election. Since that time, the group has expanded into a national movement with organizations in thirty three states and growing. DraftMarkWarner.com is the only nationally organized group formed for the express purpose of promoting a Warner candidacy. The group recently filed with the Federal Election Commission as a ‘527’ non-profit Political Action Committee. West Cox of Williamston, SC serves as acting State Coordinator for the Draft effort.

Eddie Ratliff, National Chairman of the DMW PAC said, “Gov. Warner made a tremendous impact on SC Democratic Party leaders when he appeared at a Charleston party fundraiser in December. Yet that was just the beginning.”

Former Democratic Gov. and U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings declared at the time, “I believe like the rest of you that we have a real winner here tonight.”

Political pundit Tom Schaller, a professor at the University of Maryland-Baltimore College, who was present at the December event went a step further: “He just won the South Carolina primary. He practically got the endorsements of almost every speaker on the stage this early," Schaller said.

“Gov. Warner understands the South and knows how to create jobs in regions of the country that have suffered losses in such industries as textiles and manufacturing. In Virginia, he turned back double-digit unemployment in twelve of the thirteen most depressed counties," Ratliff added.

"His record among veterans is strong too. As South Carolinians learn more about him, there is no doubt they will be impressed. We believe if he runs, he will run one of the toughest primary races South Carolina has ever seen.” Ratliff said.

Steve Deak of Atlanta, Georgia is the Southern Regional Director for the Draft PAC. He was a Loudoun County, Virginia Party Chairman and chaired Gov. Warner’s 2001 Loudoun County race for governor. Deak will join Ratliff and Mike Love, the Draft organization’s Georgia State Director in Columbia for both party functions.

Draft Mark Warner is the most active of the so called Draft groups and has been campaigning at Democratic party events throughout the U.S.

Gov. Warner finished a strong second in a local straw poll in Charleston, South Carolina in February.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Pullinger at 434-227-1715 or Mike Smith at 703-623-3834.

www.draftmarkwarner.com.# # #

North Carolina JJ Dinner Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Jennifer Pullinger (434) 227-1715
Mike Smith (703) 623-3834
media@draftmarkwarner.com

Draft Mark Warner for President Movement to
Build on Past Appearances by Gov. Mark Warner in North Carolina

April 26th 2006¾ Draft Mark Warner will kick off its official North Carolina campaign to introduce state Democrats to Gov. Warner at the North Carolina Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday, April 29th in Raleigh. Draft Mark Warner is the Internet-based grassroots organization supporting former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner for President in 2008. This is the first time the group will appear in a state where a ‘favorite son’ is expected to enter the race.

The DraftMarkWarner.com website went online within days after the 2004 presidential election. Since that time, the group has expanded into a national movement with organizations in thirty three states and growing. DraftMarkWarner.com is the only nationally organized group formed for the express purpose of promoting a Warner candidacy. The group recently filed with the Federal Election Commission as a ‘527’ non-profit Political Action Committee.

Lloyd Scher of Charlotte serves as the NC State Coordinator for the Draft effort. "I have been looking for a Governor from a southern state that has shown excellent leadership and fiscal responsibility to get our country back on track," he said. "Governor Warner will bring integrity, leadership, and honesty back to the White House," he added.

Eddie Ratliff, National Chairman of the DMW PAC said Gov. Warner made a tremendous impact on North Carolinians during previous visits to the state. In 2003, Warner headlined the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Raleigh. He spoke at the North Carolina State University Institute for Emerging Issues in January and will give the commencement address at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem on May 15th.

"Our efforts are meant to build on the time Gov. Warner is spending in North Carolina," Ratliff said. "While the governor has not committed to running in ’08, we are strongly committed to ensuring North Carolina voters know about his record of transforming Virginia into the ‘Best Managed State in the Nation,’ he added.

Draft Mark Warner is the most active of the so-called Draft groups and has been campaigning at Democratic Party events throughout the U.S. The organization’s North Carolina appearance is part of its southern strategy.

The South is vital to Democrats in the 2008 presidential election. Every Democratic president since Lyndon Johnson has been from the South. Ratliff believes the region can be won but only if Democrats look to past successes and nominate a southern governor with a strong record of executive experience and competent stewardship.

"This time around, it will be about results. Voters are going to demand it. They deserve it and Gov. Mark Warner will deliver," he explained.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Pullinger at 434-227-1715 or Mike Smith at 703-623-3834.

www.draftmarkwarner.com.# # #

DMW At DNC Meeting in New Orleans

Louisiana Update

The work in promoting Mark Warner for President continues in Louisiana. Our campaign letter writing project to all Democratic Elected Officials and Party Officials has commenced. A campaign letter, home grown political flyer and the Washington Post article by David Broden entitled "Warner's Rising Star" will be distributed to all Democratice Elected Officials and Party Officials within the next 45 days.

The DNC Spring Meeting was held on April 20-22, 2006 in New Orleans. The campaign letter, home grown flyner and the "Warner Rising Star" article were distributed at the College Democrat session. There were a lot of favorable comments by the various participants in the College Democrat session. Later that afternoon, I met a labor representative from Baltimore, Maryland who volunteered he was very familiar with Mark Warner's impressive credentials.

In my customary fashion, I wore my Mark Warner President button to the DNC activities. After Howard Dean, DNC Chairman, made his presentation to Association of State Democratic Directors I introduced myself to Howard and complimented him on " A Job Well Done." Of course, I was wearing my Mark Warner for President button.

On Saturday morning I attended the breakfast sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a contender for the Democratic National Convention in 2008. At the breakfast, I was fortunate enough to visit with several prominent DNC members from Washington, Oregon and California. The DNC secretary, Alice Gremond, stopped and had breakfast and visited with a good friend. Later, a good discussion of important environmental issues was held and upon parting I distributed my campaign materials to the DNC members at the table. Of course, I was wearing my Mark Warner for President button. I believe these DNC members had excellent insight to key democratic issues, and I hope to keep in contact with the DNC member from California who appeared to have "very keen environmental insight and vision."

The DNC general meeting was moderated by Chairman Howard Dean. Chairman Dean did an excellent job of stressing the DNC members' hundreds of hours of community service "Helping to Rebuild New Orleans." For these humanatarian efforts, all Louisiana democrats should be very greatful and proud. The enormous achievements of the late Ron Brown was highlighted and most inspirational. The national democratic agenda to continue grassroots efforts in every state was well presented. At the conclusion of the DNC general meeting I had an opportunity to briefly visit with several of Louisiana DNC members, and I took this ocassion to promote Mark Warner President.

This update provided by Frank Flynn, DMW Louisiana Director

Progress Update from the Draft

Since Election Day 2004, Draft Mark Warner for President (DMW) has led the national grassroots effort to introduce former Virginia Governor Mark Warner to America.

What started as a simple website has now grown into a national movement with organizations in 33 states and the formation of the Draft Mark Warner for President Political Action Committee. In addition to this site, we own key Warner related domain names in all the early primary states.

DMW supporters have been laying the foundation for a future Warner presidential campaign. We are the first of the 08 presidential Draft organizations to sign on with ACTBlue.

Draft Warner supporters were first in saturating the blogosphere with Mark Warner information. His record of transforming Virginia into the ‘Best Managed State in America’ is out in large part, because of the activitism of our national volunteer staff.

DMW has already contacted over 15,000 key party leaders & activists across America promoting the Warner record of success.

DMW supporters enabled Iowa Warner volunteers to pass out literature of Gov. Warner’s record in DeMoines, the capitol of the state where the first ‘08 voting gets underway. Draft supporters greeted Gov. Warner in Iowa this week as he campaigned for Congressman Leonard Boswell who represents Des Moines and central Iowa as the only Democratic member of the five-person Iowa delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives

Our ‘Southern Strategy’ has taken us to the West Virginia JJ Dinnner in Charleston and the WV Young Democrats Convention in Morgantown.

We were present at a special statewide Democratic Party meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

We introduced Gov. Warner to the NC Young Democrats State Convention in Charlotte. We’re headed back to Charlotte and will host a hospitality suite at the JJ Dinner.

We’re also headed to the JJ Dinner in Columbia, SC and the East Tennessee Truman Day Dinner in Knoxville. We’re working on the Florida JJ Dinner. Georgia Warner supporters are giving presentations at County Party meetings across the state.

DMW is set to be at the National Federation of Democratic Women Convention in Atlantic City, NJ and will introduce Gov. Warner at summer street fairs across the state.

In Kent, Ohio, DMW supporters introduced Gov. Warner’s vision for America to the Ohio Young Democrats Convention. We’re going back to Ohio to tout the Warner message to party leaders at the statewide meeting in Columbus.

DMW supporters recently gave an outstanding presentation to Montgomery County, MD party leaders.

We know young people across America will be drawn to Gov. Warner’s expected campaign because of his personal success story and forward-thinking view of technology in the global economy. That’s why we founded Young Americans for Warner.

We started the first Veterans for Warner group to promote Gov. Warner’s strong support for our armed forces to America’s men and women in uniform (active and retired).

The Draft’s active early campaigning for ‘08 has generated favorable media coverage (print, radio & TV) and built Warner name recognition in many states across America. The Philiadelphia Enquirer noted that “The Draft Mark Warner movement feels energized; more important, Democrats searching for an alternative to Hillary Clinton feel energized.”

America is hungry for a leader that speaks the truth and tells us the good and the bad. Gov. Warner is known as a straight talker-one that speaks a language that appeals to Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.

Time Magazine named Gov. Warner one of the ‘Top 5 Governor’s in America.’ A Washington Post poll taken shortly before his departure from the Virginia Governor’s office put his approval rating at 80%. He was Chairman of the National Governors Association. He was governor of a southern state that campaigned successfully to elect his Democratic successor Tim Kaine.

Under Warner’s leadership, Democrats gained six seats in the state legislature, the first such gains in over thirty years. Virginia is a ‘red’ state that has not voted Democratic in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. The gains made in Virginia can be duplicated across America under a Warner presidency.

With your support, this effort will continue to build momentum nationwide. Your support will enable us to expand to additional states and step up our efforts now.

We have a number of important events coming up in key states that we still need funding for.

The East Tennessee Truman Day Dinner
The Ohio statewide Democratic Party meeting
The Florida statewide Democratic Party meeting
The National Young Democrats Convention in Las Vegas
The Daily KOS NetRoots Convention in Las Vegas

All of the above events are coming up between now and the 1st week of June but if we have a Warner presence there we must commit now. Whether we can commit depends on your willingness to help us.

We ask you to join us in supporting this effort as we continue to lead the way. Please make a contribution to this effort now so we can spread the message. No one gets paid. Everything is done by volunteers. They usually pay their own way (tickets, gas, hotel) to to help us have a strong showing of Warner08' support.

There is a link on each page of this site where you can make a contribution to help. Please do so.

Kindly Yours,
Eddie Ratliff
National Chairman
Draft Mark Warner for President
Political Action Committee

Paid for by the Draft Mark Warner for President Political Action Committee.
Not authorized by any political candidate or any candidate’s committee.

Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes

Draft Mark Warner for President PAC

P.O. Box 16251

Bristol, VA 24209

Terry Frye, Treasurer

Joan Baker Washburn, Assistant Treasurer

Draft Mark Warner Partners with ACTBlue

According to ACTBlue, Draft Mark Warner for President is the first of the '08 Draft Committees to partner with them to turn America 'Blue' in 2008. The link to our ACTBlue page is located at http://actblue.com/page/DMW. Please pass it on to your family, friends, and associates so we can step up the pace of the DMW Campaign.

You can become a DMW fundraiser by following some simple instructions for adding a link to your website or blog http://www.actblue.com/entity/syndicate/9641

ACTBlue Mission:

ActBlue is the universal Democratic bundler. We enable anyone — individuals, grassroots groups, and millions-strong organizations — to use the best practices of EMILY's List and MoveOn to fundraise for the Democratic candidates and causes of their choice. With ActBlue, together these fundraisers can raise otherwise untapped millions for Democratic campaigns and progressive causes.

Want to join in? Learn how to ActBlue.

Highlights and History:

July-August, 2005 — In just two weeks, over $500,000 comes through ActBlue.com for the Paul Hackett campaign in the August 2 OH-02 special election. (Average contribution: $50.) These funds were raised by the blogosphere, Democracy for America, and many other grassroots communities and networks; see some of the fundraising pages here, here, here, and here.

February 12-15, 2005 — ActBlue hosts an internet-wide DNC fundraiser in honor of Howard Dean's selection, coordinated by the blogosphere. The effort raised $110,000 from 2360 contributors.
November, 2004 — By the conclusion of the election, fundraisers using ActBlue raised $850,000 for 150 Democratic candidates for U.S. House and Senate.
August-September, 2004 — ActBlue's users grow to include widely-read bloggers Daily Kos and Atrios, and the 100,000-member True Majority Action PAC.
June 28, 2004 — ActBlue launches online bundling platform.

Ohio Young Americans Kick-off Campaign

Kent, Ohio — On April 1, 2006, the Ohio Young Americans for Warner campaign kicked off at the Ohio Young Democrats State Convention. Aryeh Alex and Andrew Mizsak, Co-Chairs of the Ohio Chapter of Young Americans for Warner, attended the State Convention held at Kent State University to recruit and mobilize students, young professional and Democratic activists from across the Great State of Ohio, behind former Virginia Governor, Mark Warner in his likely bid for President in 2008.

Convention keynote speakers included Democratic candidate for Governor, Congressman Ted Strickland, US Senate Candidate, Congressman Sherrod Brown, Senate Minority Leader C.J. Prentiss, and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman, State Representative Chris Redfern. Chairman Redfern spoke about the importance of young activists and how important Ohio will be in the 2008 Presidential elections. Redfern also noted how the State Party looks forward to working with Gov. Mark Warner in an upcoming fundraising event and his efforts to make Ohio Blue in 2006 and 2008.
(Andrew Mizsak)
The Ohio Young Americans for Warner was the only group representing any of the potential Presidential candidates to the nearly 250 young Democrats at the convention. With flyers on hand, volunteers made contact with numerous supporters in hopes to build support for Governor Warner.

“The convention was a great success,” said Aryeh Alex. “Support for Governor Mark Warner for President was overwhelming with many attendees pledging support for our upcoming efforts in electing Warner in 2008.”

To get involved with Ohio Young Americans for Warner effort, contact Aryeh Alex at aryeha@draftmarkwarner.com or 513.478.5928.

http://OhioForWarner.blogspot.com/

Young Americans Takes Message to West Virginia

The West Virginia Young Democrats held a state wide convention April 1st at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Young Americans for Mark Warner (YAFW) were there in full force, passing out buttons, bumper stickers, and literature. YAFW also purchased a full-page ad in the convention program.

Many of the young democrats that attended the convention stopped by the Mark Warner for President Table. Lots of young people showed much interest in helping one of the most high tech presidential candidates, get into office in 2008.

Many young democrats were wearing the Mark Warner buttons proudly as if they might have found their candidate for the presidential election. Of course some people were just finding out, about one of the most popular governors in the United States.

Mark Warner was well received by the young population in West Virginia as he already has been across the county. The table was hosted by the West Virginia Young Americans for Warner.

John Gainer II
WV Young Amercians for Warner

Draft Mark Warner Files With The FEC As A PAC

Draft Mark Warner, the Internet-based grassroots organization supporting former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner for President in 2008, filed an application with the Federal Election Commission on March 9th to create the Draft Mark Warner for President Political Action Committee. By filing with the FEC, the Draft Mark Warner group is recognized by the IRS as a 527 non-profit political organization.

The DraftMarkWarner.com website went online within days after the 2004 presidential election. Since that time, the group has expanded into a national movement with organizations in thirty-three states and growing. DraftMarkWarner.com is the only nationally organized group formed for the express purpose of promoting a Warner candidacy. The group has already approached over 15,000 key Democratic Party leaders, elected officials, and party activists to introduce them to Gov. Warner's stellar record of achievements, including transforming Virginia into the 'Best Managed State in the Nation.'

Steve Deak, a former Loudoun County Virginia Democratic Party Chair and Chairman of Gov. Warner's 2001 Loudoun County campaign for Governor, is a co- founder of the Draft Mark Warner effort. "Volunteers are the heart and soul of our movement," Deak said. "Having a mechanism to raise funds for events, promotion, and materials allows this organization to focus on grassroots organizing and spreading the word about Gov. Warner in ways we never could before. This takes the Draft to a much higher level and goes a long way in accomplishing our mission," he added.

Joan Baker-Washburn, Assistant Treasurer of the Draft Mark Warner PAC and past president of the Virginia Federation of Democratic Women, said: "I believe that men and women everywhere will relate to Gov. Warner's centrist positions on a variety of issues, which is what made him so popular in Virginia."

Draft Mark Warner PAC can raise and spend unlimited amounts on promotion for a Warner candidacy in 2008. "This will give Warner supporters an opportunity to expand the national network and build stronger momentum across the country for organizing at all levels," Washburn noted.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Pullinger at 434-227-1715 or Mike Smith at 703-623-3834.

http://www.draftmarkwarner.com

####

Draft Adds to Press Relations Staff

Draft Mark Warner is pleased to announce Mike Smith has joined the communications team as we take this movement to the next level.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Michael J. Smith
Executive Vice President/ GM
Washington, DC

Michael J. Smith has more than 22 years of experience in public media affairs, corporate communications and investor relations. He is currently the Executive Vice President/ General Manager of Euro RSCG Magnet’s Washington DC office, where he oversees an account staff of ten. Smith’s Capitol Hill team has produced successful products and services for clients in the field of technology, government affairs, public affairs, consumer goods and healthcare.

Mike is a native of Washington and has relationships with Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and key agency staff. His cogent understanding of the DC political system, coupled with his diverse professional background has yielded numerous successful public affairs campaigns on behalf of clients.

Smith served as public affairs director for the National Association of Manufacturers for five years before focusing on public relations for the technology sector. Today, with Euro RSCG Magnet, Smith works with a variety of public affairs clients.

Smith has a reporting background with Gannett Newspapers in New York, where he was given the opportunity to cover a multitude of political events including in the Capitol, as well the New York Democratic National Convention of 1980. But Smith’s involvement in public affairs extends back to his youth, growing up in DC where he lobbied as public affairs director for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).

Smith received his master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and has studied political reporting at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He is a longtime member of the National Press Club, as well as a member of and speaker for the Public Relations Society of America.

GOP Pollster Says Warner Can Win

A new survey announced in Washinton on March 30th from GOP Pollster Frank Luntz declares that Mark Warner is the 'big star' going into the 2008 presidential election.

Warner "ought to frighten Republicans if he were ever to get the nomination -- because he could win" in 2008, Luntz said. See Related Story

In response to the survey Steve G. of New York writes:

The Luntz focus groups, my own observations, and the experience of others I trust suggest that no candidate makes more headway in an initial meeting with a voter or voters than Mark Warner. You cannot underestimate the importance of a candidate who only does himself good when he meets and speaks with voters.

This might seem like a bottom line qualification for any national candidacy, but it actually is quite rare to have someone with such an innate ability to positively connect with almost anyone. And to come off as sincere because he is sincere!

Consider a contrary scenario, i.e. the candidate who starts out with a strong reputation and good name recognition and high expectations. He either shoots from the lip and you pray he doesn't erode his support or you are afraid for him to say anything. You try to spin misstatements as frankness and refreshing, quiet as pensiveness and introspection, but inside you are thinking: Please be careful. Remember this a Latino audience. Remember you are in Chicago. Remember the Mayor's name.

Lord would I love to watch Mark Warner meet any voter, of any race, ethnicity or gender, in any debate, in any state. Think of it: A candidacy with an absolute minimum of places you would either have to stay away from or places where you wouldn't want to waste your time. A candidate who could contend in the Carolinas, in Florida, in the big northeastern states like Ohio nand Michigan, out west, everywhere. A Democrat from a Red State who you could be confident would carry his home state.

In fact, while thrilling, Mark Warner as a candidate would have a very different challenge: Given his ability to contend in places Democrats have not contended before, you'd have to make cholices that Democrats dont usually have to make. You could honestly think about Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas, Tennesee, Kentucky, Arkansas....all sorts of places. Tough choices.

In my lifetime I have not seen a candidate who could be as fearlessly and enthusiastically unleashed on almost any voters anywhere. Bill Clinton was superb, but never forget how much political energy and capital was spent on fixing and backtracking and apologizing and schmoozing. Mark Warner's warmth and connection with people is infinitively more earnest than the Clinton neon because it is so clear that it is built into the fiber of who he is.

Now as his positions start to crystallize, say on the war, not each and every contact will be a cakewalk. There is an angry segment of the Democratic base who will literally scream at anyone who doesn't support a "cut and run" policy. Social security will be Mark Warner's third rail just like everyone else.

But for now, there simply is no better candidate in the Democratic field.

I should say that I used the male pronoun becuase there has never been a credible female Presidential candidate. This time there will be. And that is great. But as a dyed in the wool New York/ New Jersey Hilary Democrat, count me among her strongest admirers who cannot conceive of a scenario in which she wins nationally.

One guy's opinion.

Steve G.
NY, New York