DMW at Truman Day in Knoxville, TN

The Draft Warner Team was on the road the weekend of Saturday, May 20th in Knoxville, Tennessee to attend the East Tennessee Truman Day Dinner. The team set up a table, handed out brochures, campaign badges and bumper stickers and talked up Governor Warner's accomplishments and explained why he should be our next President.

The Dinner was an excellent event. Although headliner Senator Joe Biddenwas not able to attend, he sent Marine Colonel and Iraqi war veteran Paul Hackett of Ohio in his stead. In case you haven't heard about him, Hackett came back from Iraq totally disillusioned by the Bush Administration's handling of the war. As a result, he decided to run for Congress against an incumbent Republican in the most Republican Congressional District in the country. He received an astonishing 48% of the vote and set up 2006 as the year Democrats can really make a comeback in the buckeye state.

Hackett delivered his famous lines about "Chicken Hawk Bush and Chaney"and brought the crowd to it's feet with a recitation of Bush's blunders in Iraq. Then we heard from Congressman Harold Ford, the Democratic Nominee for US Senate and the man who will take back Bill Frist's seat back from the Republicans. Ford delivered a fiery, impassioned speech reminiscent of Barack Obama. It really looks like we will have a pickup in the Tennessee Senate Race with such a quality candidate as Congressman Ford on our ticket.

A good time was had by all and the Draft Warner Team distributed hundreds of flyers to a mostly receptive audience.

Terry Frye

Crowd Gathering in Convention Center

YAFW Appoints NC Coordinator

Young Americans for Warner, the youth arm of Draft Mark Warner, has announced the appointment of a North Carolina State Coordinator. Andrew Bates, a student at UNC-Greensboro will head up the movement in North Carolina.

Bates, a Winstom-Salem resident has been active in Democratic politics for some time now. At UNCG he is a member of the College Democrats and the Political Awareness Club. Andrew also has worked on various local, statewide, and Congressional political races, as well being a volunteer for the Young Democrats of North Carolina and the Forsyth County Democratic Party.

"Andrew has been a great presence in North Carolina for Draft Mark Warner, and now it is time that he spreads the word about getting young adults involved in helping to draft Governor Warner for President," said Marshall Spevak, National Chairman of Young Americans for Warner.

If your a resident of North Carolina and would like to get involved, email Andrew at Andrew.Bates@yafw.com!

Don't Laugh

Don't t laugh at my emotional response, but it just struck me that , before the end of my life, I could have a President like Mark Warner of whom I could be intensely proud. It is almost more than I want to let myself dream!

I've made so many "deals with the devil" in the last few election cycles that I almost forgot that pride and the presidency are words that go together.

I had this dream that I was listening to the Star Spangled Banner and watching Governor Warner standing at attention and smiling a confident smile, and reviewing some troops.

And I thought -- again don't laugh: What a thrill it would be to have a decent, moral and intelligent President to admire. It's such a simple wish, almost pollyannish. But I am so sick of cynicism. And I think most Americans are, on both sides of the aisle.

I want a President like Mark Warner who makes me NOT WANT TO HAVE CYNICISM AS MY FIRST INSTINCTIVE REACTION TO POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY!

By Steve Gorelick
NY

Arizona for Warner Update

AZforWARNER State Director: Mark Reza

Arizona for Warner had a very successful table at the State Committee Meeting 6 May 2006 at the Wyndham Hotel in Phoenix. We were the only table representing a presidential candidate.

We offered free bumper stickers, specially designed refrigerator magnets with Mark Warner’s official Governor of Virginia photo, and lots of literature gleamed from the Forward Together website, and other well known publications, stating his positions on the current issues, and his reception in other states, especially the south. There were also pieces lauding Mark Warner’s expertise as a successful businessman, and accomplishments as Governor of Virginia. We also displayed at 6’ by 2’ banner designed from the white bumper sticker available from http://www.markwarner2008.net/. We added a two tone red and blue donkey for inclusiveness. As a recent resident of Virginia, I was able to answer most questions.

People were surprised we were out this early, but the reaction was very positive and receptive. Many remembered Mark Warner from his visit to Arizona to attend the Heritage Dinner last year, as well as other places that he spoke during the visit.


For Mark Reza,
Arizona Director
Draft Mark Warner

NJ-National Federation of Democratic Women Update

We had a successful event at the National Federation of Democratic Women that was held here in Atlantic City the weekend of April 29th. I would especially like to thank Harry for stopping by on Friday to give some assistance. Some highlights from the weekend:

1. We were present at an event in which the state chairman, Joe Cryan, was present. He was surprised to see us there, but we had a few minutes to talk, and I believe that he knows that we're here to stay. We had some minor discussions about more talks to local democratic groups.

2. We met with Diane Legreide, the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Democratic Party. She indicated that she's been receiving phone calls, mail, and e-mail about how to contact someone from the Warner camp. We talked briefly, and I gave her all the relevant contact information. She indicated that she would pass our contact information on to all who wanted it.

3. We met U.S. Senator Menendez, and members of his staff. They are looking for support in the upcoming election (Menendez is in a hard battle with Thomas Kean Jr.) and are also interested in the Warner campaign. I believe that there will be mutual support between the two groups. With us giving them support this fall, I believe that they will be more inclined to support Gov. Warner in the future.

4. We had discussions with several active groups here in New Jersey (because of the event being held here, there was a large Jersey contingent). We have been asked to speak in Bergen, Mercer, Cape May, Salem, and Gloucester Counties. We also obtained several leads on groups of democratic volunteers looking to get involved.

5. We spread the word to democratic women nationally. A number of them had not heard of Warner, but were very interested when we gave some info on his background and accomplishments. A number of delegates took information and will be listening to Warner as the year goes by.

6. We obtained about 150 e-mails addresses for democratic women in 22 states and the District of Columbia. All potential leads as we begin to move towards formal announcements of candidacy.

All in all it was a good event for us.

As for "New Jersey For Warner", we will be at the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival next Sunday, May 7th. We can expect 1,000's of people to be at the fair. This will be our first foray into meeting with the average voter. I am looking forward to it.

Bernie and Harry have volunteered to spend time at the fair. I will also be there in the morning to help get set up and plan on staying until I'm dragged home. Even though there will be three of us, we can always use and welcome more volunteers. If interested please let us know. Our table will be at the corner of Washington and First Street.

Remember we also have two fairs in June, Metuchen and Fair Lawn, and a fair in Red Bank in September.

This will be an exciting year for the movement.

We will post photos soon!

By Tom Wolfe
DMW NJ Director

The Draft's first-time excursion to SC a big success

April 28th and 29th was our first foray into South Carolina. The SC Democratic Party held their annual JJ Dinner Friday night and a state convention on Saturday. This was the first event we have attended where another potential '08 candidate was the keynote speaker. Gov. Vilsack of Iowa was the speaker for the JJ Dinner friday.

Our National Director Eddie Ratliff joined Georgia Director Mike Love and myself in Columbia. While the location of our table was not exactly prime real estate Friday night, we had a great location on Saturday for the convention. Our goal was to find a few volunteers and potentially a statewide director. We have some good leads that we will be following up with this week.

Since Friday night was just the dinner, we had quite a few "cruisers" come by the table and take a peek. We had the video playing as well. Just about everybody took literature. We handed out over 700 pieces of literature, 300 buttons and 150 bumper stickers.

Saturday was a completely different story. We had a constant flow of people from about 9:15 - 1:30. Most knew a little bit about Warner from his visit in February. Those who didn't were extremely impressed with his record. I can't tell you how many times we heard "We need a guy like this!" I was surprised be the number of people who either have lived in Virginia or have relatives there.

The press was light but Eddie did get a chance to speak with an Associated Press reporter and a reporter from the Columbia daily paper.

Let's take a moment to reflect back on a huge weekend. We had volunteers at events in 3 states. We came in contact with over 2500 Democratic activists. Thanks to everyone involved for making this the most successful period since we started!

Now we need to step it up once again as well prepare for events in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Nevada.

One last thing....I saw this in the Raleigh News and Observer from Friday - http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/433523.htmlWarner's warriors Among the attendees at the Democratic party's North Carolina Jefferson-Jackson dinner Saturday night will be a group of people pushing former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to run for president in 2008.
The Draft Mark Warner group will pass out literature and bumper stickers at a table at the party fundraiser, being held at 7 p.m. at the North Raleigh Hilton for prices ranging up to $250.

Great work this weekend!!!!!
Steve Deak, Southern Regional Director
Draft Mark Warner 2008

Photos: (click to enlarge)

# 1 Draft Team-Steve Deak, Mike Love & Eddie Ratliff
#2 Georgia Director Mike Loves Shows Warner Video to Visitor
#3 Steve Deak, DMW Southern Director pitches Gov. Warner for President

Other photos not shown above:
# 4 Draft Founder Eddie Ratliff networks with former Congresswoman
#5 Folks signing up in real-time to join Draft Mark Warner
#6 The Draft Table ready for visitors

Update from the NC JJ Dinner April 29th, 2006

North Carolina-Our first major event was a smashing success. Thanks to the work of Andrew Bates and Jennifer Gregory; they had fun at a traditional NC Barbecue while seeking signatures. On Friday night we were in Charlotte with Governor Howard Dean, Chairperson of the Democratic Party along with several Congresspersons from North Carolina along with over 650 happy democrats. Two of the Congresspersons told me directly that they were excited about the possibility of Governor Warner running for President.

The Mecklenburg County Democratic Party had well over 650 people at the event and although we started a little slow in getting signatures things got better as Andrew & Jennifer began asking for signatures. As one of the Coordinators for the Governor Dean event; I was busy helping out with the event while Andrew and Jennifer circulated the petitions at the Friday night event.

Saturday Night was the JJ Dinner in Raleigh, NC and Governor Mark Warner had a hospitality Suite where people came by and looked at the DVD had a drink and some food and of course signed the petition. Andrew worked downstairs and asked people to sign the petition as they entered the Ballroom at the North Hilton Hotel in Raleigh. I remained in the room and I had a chance to meet with people who did not go to the dinner and get them interested in the Governors Campaign.

I had several people sign the petition and they told me we need someone from outside Washington and someone who is not a Senator to run for President from the Democratic Party. I told everyone why this type of campaign and I responded by telling them that the Governor needs to know that he has support from the general public. I went on to say that we need to tell Governor Warner that he is wanted and needed by the party. I am happy to report that several people signed the petition realizing that all the announced or close to announcing candidates are all Senators. They will be running on the same issues because they have all served in the Senate and they carry the same baggage as Senator John McCain good and bad votes.

Individuals who signed the petition in North Carolina were currently sitting State House and Senate Members who are still in office and are seeking re-election. What was impressive is that they signed the petition even though they all knew that former NC Senator John Edwards is looking to run.

Signatures on the petition are very impressive and will at some point bring the Draft Campaign a lot of positive publicity in the futures. They signers ranged from former Candidates for Governor in NC, The former Secretary of State, the former NC Attorney General, and a former US Senatorial candidate along with other distinguish democrats from all across NC. It is an excellent start for the NC petitions. Next week we will be in uptown Charlotte the special Wachovia Golf Tournament event the following week the NC Draft committee will be at the NC Seafood Festival in eastern NC. That will be followed by two weeks asking the NASCAR fans to sign the Draft Governor Mark Warner to be our President in 2008.

The hospitality room was a great success we got great coverage in the hotel the Hilton helped us put up the signs even providing us with an easel in the lobby with a big poster sign. They also but the information on their in house video activities lists shown in the lobby and in each room. That led to three Republicans signing the petition. I am going to reserve a room for the fall dinner scheduled for Ashville they are trying to get Governor Warner as their guest speaker. Things are taking off in North Carolina.


Lloyd Scher
NC Director
Draft Mark Warner

Thanks to our team in NC for a job well done!


Photos: (click to enlarge)
# 1: NC Draft Chairman Lloyd Scher (left) with Bill Porter
#2: Forner NC Secretary of State Rufus Edminsten Signs the Petition
#3: Draft Volunteer Andrew Bates Seeking Signatures Urging Gov. Warner to Run
#4 Veggie Tray in Hospitality Suite-Gov. Warner's Video Playing

Warner "I Don't Need to Be Lectured by Karl Rove"

Click HERE for the article

Warner leveled the same charges, and noted that terrorist leader Osama bin Laden remains free nearly five years after the Sept. 11 attacks. He chastised Bush strategist Karl Rove for accusing Democrats of clinging to a pre-Sept. 11 mind-set.

"I was the first person elected in this country after 9/11," said Warner, who was elected governor in November 2001. "I don't need to be lectured by Karl Rove ... about what is needed to keep this country safe."
Warner said the key for Democrats is to represent a muscular foreign policy that respects and supports U.S. troops; deploys diplomatic, economic, and when necessary, military assets against U.S. enemies; rises to the challenge of global competition; and unites friends and divides enemies — "not the reverse," which he complained Bush has done.

Yet, there seemed to be limits to how far Warner would go. He told reporters afterward that while he hopes the Iraq war is successful, he would consider pulling U.S. troops out if the country did not make progress in coming months on democracy and security.

"I think you don't take that off the table," he said when asked about troop withdrawal.