Virginia-Best State for Business

Think a Democrat can't be pro-business and still compassionately care for its citizens? Think again. Forbes Magazine just recognized Virginia as the Best State in America for Business! That means jobs, health insurance, homes, and security for working people.

Here's what Forbes had to say in part:

"Four hundred years after Captain John Smith established the first permanent English colony in Jamestown, the commonwealth of Virginia is leading the way once again. Virginia grabbed the top spot in Forbes.com's first-ever Top States for Business thanks to its strong economic growth, low business costs and excellent quality of life."

"The state, called "Earth's only paradise" by poet Michael Drayton, dominated our rankings, placing in the top ten in each of the six categories we examined: business costs, economic climate, growth prospects, labor, quality of life and regulatory environment. No other state placed in the top ten in more than three categories."

END----

While Governor Tim Kaine certaily deserves credit for maintaining the same business friendly policies Gov. Mark Warner promoted, Gov. Warner gets a lot of credit too.

The Washington Post said:

"The magazine's praise was largely for his Democratic predecessor, Mark R. Warner , who presided over what the magazine called the "runaway winner" in its 50-state comparison."

The Washington Post describes the Forbes report as "Vindication for Warner."

Just Imagine That!

Can you imagine what would happen if a truly great leader of Gov. Warner's
stature stood before the American people and gave the following speech?"

I know many of you supported my opponent. I know that many of you may disagree with me. But I want you to know that if I become your President I will do everything I can to earn your respect and make you proud.

Your views and your patriotism will be treated with deep respect. And I will never use your party affiliation to divide you or to impugn your love of country. The politics of mistrust and accusation are over.

""The decency and willingness to sacrifice of every American, of both parties, will be something I will assume rather than question.

In an age of terror and insecurity, we will either prevail together or fail together. And when terror is vanquished, we will never suggest that this was either a Democratic or Republican accomplishment. It is a triumph we will share as Americans.

"Mean-spirited partisanship will always be a miserable failure as both political strategy and moral framework. And it profoundly misreads the majority of Americans who want desperately to be grounded and united in love of God and country, not joined in anger and resentment.

""We tried unity by intimidation. It didn't work."

"End----------

Steve Gorelick is a university professor in NJ. He was giving a talk at the University
of Virginia three years ago when he first met Governor Warner and became interested
in his presidential candidacy.

These may not be the exact words of Gov. Mark Warner but, from all that we know, this is the kind of unifying message you can expect to hear as Gov. Warner reaches out to voters across the country.

Just imagine that!

DMW Conducts 1st Nebraska Event

The DMW table at the 2006 Nebraska Convention in Grand Island, NE was a huge hit with the delegates and guests. DMW supporters arrived early Friday morning and got the best table spot at the entire convention. More than 150 delegates and guests stopped by the table and more than 200 flyers were distributed along with bumper stickers and buttons.

DMW Organizers Show Up in NH

Yesterday, I attended the Merrimack County Democrats picnic at the home of two prominent New Hampshire democrats. Merrimack County is still celebrating their recently attained county majority (the first time in 80 years that the majority of legislators from the county are democrats). They set the goal of picking up 5 new seats per county, in order to retake the New Hampshire House of Delegates. Approximately 150 people attended this relaxing event, where Governor Warner spoke along with New Hampshire Governor John Lynch (whose approval ratings are approaching that of Governor Warner's!), and a very impressive Congressional candidate, Paul Hodes (his race is definitely one to watch).

Governor Warner impressed the crowd, who were much more eager for the new and improved DMW pins and the bumper stickers after hearing him speak. They seemed particularly excited by his record on education and health care, his commitment to alternative energy R&D, and his lambasting of the Bush Administration's "war on science." They were also very relieved to hear Warner commit "should he take the plunge" to campaign in New Hampshire, regardless of the recent decision to move up the South Carolina and Nevada primaries.

Among the other notable attendees were former Virginia Lieutenant Governor candidate and Congressman L.F. Payne, many New Hampshire state legislators, a Massachusetts state legislator, and Governor Warner's high school guidance counselor, who made the trip up from Connecticut. After showing off his public speaking skills, Warner displayed his listening skills, working the crowd, and chatting with every person who wanted to catch his ear.

Just before leaving, Governor Warner likely jump-started the "MarkWarner Is Good" t-shirt sales, by taking a picture with Josh Harvey of Young Americans For Warner, who was wearing the shirt. For anyone interested, Josh plans to sell the t-shirts at cost (email joshuah@draftmarkwarner.com)

Another New Hampshire Democrats event - another reason to be inspired by our great democracy, and the New Hampshire stewardship of our presidential elections. I can barely wait for the next one.

By Jon Dodson-DMW Vermont Coordinator
Josh Harvey is from Hudson County, NJ

DMW Chairman Takes KOS Writer to Task

Bob Johnson, a blogger on Daily KOS made some rather disparaging remarks about Gov. Warner's supposed lackluster support for CT Senate candidate Ned Lamont. DMW supporters should confront this kind of nonsense wherever it is found, whether on Daily KOS or in the mainstream press.

Here is the 8/19 post which garnered 120 comments. The comments stopped after the truth about Gov. Warner's record of supporting other Democrats was posted for all to see.

Link to the KOS thread:

Bob Johnson's Diary:

Yesterday, while campaigning for a local state senate candidate in New Hampshire, Warner again repeated his lip service to Lamont's candidacy, but excused Lieberman's actions and suggested Traitor Joe was a victim of circumstances.

You know... Iraq and all that.

So why is it that Warner so avidly sought the approval of kossaks in Las Vegas (and spent his money extravagantly to do so), but disappears when it matters?

Yeah, Mark, free cocktails at at the most expensive, attractive bar in Vegas are nice, but how about stepping up when it counts?

How about getting up to Connecticut in the next two weeks and using that toothy grin and vaunted "political charisma" to stump with Lamont, raise a few bucks for him, and publicly call for your DLC chum to do what's best for the party and drop out of the race?

And soon. Not with a week to go. Putting pressure on Lieberman to get out needs to happen NOW, not on Halloween.

So, Mark, you want to court the netroots and Daily Kos?

Prove it. Talk is cheap, even if cocktail parties at the the most expensive gin joint in Las Vegas are not.

Posted by ERAT

Warner's Done More Than Any Other Candidate

Governor Warner's PAC, Forward Together has contributed more money to Democratic candidates than any other presumed 2008 candidate PAC. In fact, he leads Democrats and Republicans in contributing to other candidates. His PAC to date, has given over $800,000 to candidates. That amount is nearly double what the next closest presidential PAC contributor has given to other candidates.

Governor Warner announced almost immediately that he supports Ned Lamont in CT and that his PAC, Forward Together would be supporting Lamont. It's nonsense to suggest that because he likes Joe Lieberman personally, he is half-heartedly supporting Lamont.

Warner was accused by some of only half-heartedly supporting his Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine to suceed him. When Kaine was down by 10 points, everyone was asking "Where the hell is Mark Warner and why isn't he helping Tim Kaine?" Gov. Warner did help Tim Kaine but timed it for maximum benefit. He went to bat, raised money, did television commercials, and ended up helping Tim Kaine win by almost 6% over his GOP opponent. Indeed Tim Kaine's victory can be attributed directly to Gov. Warner.

When Harris Miller was competing against Jim Webb in the Virginia primary, everyone was in a hissy because Gov. Warner did a fundraiser for Harris Miller and had not done one for Jim Webb. He did one for Jim Webb too and has promised to help Jim Webb defeat George Allen in the Senate race. He will! It would be foolish of Gov. Warner to not want to see Allen defeated in November. If Allen goes down, so goes his hope of being the Republican nominee in 08.

Did it ever occur to folks that Gov. Warner may be coming in at the most opportune time to help a candidate? Perhaps it is in Jim Webb's best interest that Gov. Warner come when he's most needed. Does anyone consider scheduling conflicts? Maybe he can't be there on a specific date because someone else is campaigning with Webb at that time. Maybe he's out of state helping another candidate. Before jumping to conclusions, maybe you should look at all the candidates Gov. Warner is helping right now:

From TPM Cafe:

According to Ned Lamont, former Senator John Edwards (D-NC) was the first Democratic leader to call him Tuesday night, offering his support. And on Thursday Hotline heard that Edwards will campaign for Lamont in CT on August 17, which Political Wire confirms. Hotline also notes that Virginia Governor Mark Warner (D)has endorsed and will support Lamont through his PAC, Forward Together.

From Gov. Warner's Forward Together PAC website: Governor Mark Warner on Connecticut Primary:

I congratulate Ned Lamont on a great grassroots campaign, and wish him success in November. I and our PAC, Forward Together, will be supporting the Lamont campaign. Connecticut Democrats are mirroring the frustrations most Americans feel with this President’s failed foreign policy and mishandled war. I also commend Senator Lieberman for his remarkable record of public service.

Republican wishful thinking notwithstanding, Tuesday’s vote was anything but a Democratic party repudiation of a robust and determined defense of this nation’s security. To the contrary, it is a call for a return to an American foreign policy that unites our friends and divides our enemies—and a call that will inevitably sweep through November’s elections.

Iowa:

Warner brought with him Tuesday a check for $25,000 to Iowa Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver, with whom Warner met before addressing a gathering of activists at a Des Moines restaurant. Warner's check was the second-biggest of the several prospective 2008 candidates to contribute to Culver. Last month, Vilsack gave Culver $100,000.

Making his fourth trip to Iowa since the 2004 election, Warner also held events in Cedar Rapids after arriving in Des Moines. He was scheduled to hold events today in Davenport, Dubuque and Waterloo.

Colorado: From the DCPoliticalReport:

Warner Winner: Former Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner (D-VA), who is one of the more prominently mentioned Democratic presidential candidates, lent some credibility to the congressional campaign of Bill Winter (D-CO). Winter's supporters in Colorado's 6th Congressional District, pushed their candidate to the top of a nationwide contest with an appearance by Warner as the prize.

Also regarding Colorado: MapChangers raked in 18,500 votes and eventually crowned Bill Winter, a Colorado attorney mounting an uphill challenge to GOP Rep. Tom Tancredo, the immigration hard-liner. Winter’s prize: a fundraiser with Warner himself.

Gov. Warner Helping Candidates in New Hampshire:

On Friday August 18, Governor Warner attended an event in support of Seventh District Senate candidate Harold Janeway hosted by Representative Christine Hamm at 12 pm. Following that event, Governor Warner was at the Common Man Inn to stump for Second District state senate candidate Deb Reynolds. Later on Friday, he WAS also the special guest at a coffee and dessert social with Rep. Tom Buco.

Saturday he was at a special event held by the Stoddard Democrats at Lakefalls Lodge(Shinbone Shack) After this, Governor Warner headed to the Merrimack County Democrats' Annual BBQ and Potluck Picnic in Bow, NH at Noon on Saturday August 19. He then headed on to Portsmouth for an event in support of state senator Martha Fuller Clark at the Frank Jones Center. Finally,Governor Warner joined Governor John Lynch in Kensington for an event beginning at 7 p.m.

In the Philadelphia area:

He will campaign for three Democratic congressional candidates,then he goes to Cleveland and Chicago to help raise money for the campaign of Ted Strickland, who is running for governor of Ohio.

He then goes to Michigan to help raise money for Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

If you want to pick on someone for not doing enough to help other candidates, pick on any or all of the other half dozen or more presumed Democratic candidates for president. Only one of them came close to giving half the money Gov. Warner's PAC has already given to support Democrats!

I repeat...Gov. Warner's PAC has given more than most presidential candidate PACs put together and tops the list for helping Democrats across the country.

NJ for Warner Has First Meeting

The Draft Mark Warner organization in New Jersey had its first meeting in Monroe Township, New Jersey. The event was well attended with approximately 30 people there. We reviewed Mark Warner's accomplishments with education, and balancing a budget in his home state of Virginia while he was Governor.

A number of those in attendance provided their e-mails so they could stay informed of the progress of the Mark Warner movement in New Jersey and nationwide. The Draft Mark Warner movement will be looking to hold similar meetings throughout the state to tell voters about what Mark Warner has done and about what Mark Warner will do as President.

Remember we will be at the Democratic Conference in Atlantic City on the 7 through 9 of September. Additionally, we will be at Red Bank on the 10th. We are still looking for volunteers for all of these events.

FUNDING UPDATE

We have raised over $700 for the Democratic Conference in Atlantic City. We need $300 more to reach our goal. We're hoping a few donors will come forward to get us over the top. Thanks to all those who have contributed. Your hard earned donations are greatly appreciated.

Tom Wolfe
NJ State Director

Contact Tom

Can Gov. Warner Fix the Healthcare Crisis?

Millions of Americans live on the edge of financial ruin. It's not that they haven't worked and contributed to society. Most have worked extremely hard to provide a decent home, a drivable vehicle, and a decent education for their children.

The middle-class of this country are feeling the squeeze. Wages and real purchasing power are down. Interest rates are on the rise. Gas and home heating prices are going through the roof. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. Two, hard working people in a household, can no longer keep up with the basics. Personal debt has many tettering on the edge.

While our government officials and federal workers have their own federal pension plan, the rest of us pay into Social Security. While they give themselves multiple salary increases to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars annually, minimum wages are kept at just over $5.00 per hour for twenty years.

I know the war on terror is important. Safety must be the number one priority but, we cannot overlook the other problems facing this country while terrorism gets every minute of our government's attention. People still need jobs. They still have to educate their children, and yes, many still have no health insurance or sub-standard insurance. They are one paycheck away from financial devastation.

Gov. Warner cares about healthcare. That's why he was a founding partner in the Virginia Healthcare Foundation, an organization that has served over 600,000 under-insured Virginians. That's why when his predecessors allowed the feds to come dangerously close to revoking federal funds intended for Virginia's uninsured children because they'd rather give it back to Washington than see needy children get it, Gov. Warner stepped in. As a result, his FAMIS Healthcare Plan for Virginia, enrolled 131,000 or 97% of all eligible children.

Gov. Warner chaired the National Governors Association's Report to Congress on Medicaid Reform. He understands the problems facing working people. Yet, I am posting one man's story on this blog to remind him that although he has helped thousands of Virginians, tens of thousands here in Virginia still need help. Across America, tens of millions are one sickness away from losing everything they've worked for all their lives.

Gov. Warner...when you are President of the United States, I ask you to please fix America's healthcare system. If anyone can tackle this problem, you can. If we all have to pitch in, ask us. Challenge this country to not allow the status quo to continue. We will rise to the occassion when our leaders stand up and ask us to.

Here is just one family's story:

I am a 43-year-old male with a beautiful wife of twenty years. I have two wonderful children, a 16-year-old son, who is a sophomore in high school, and a 19-old daughter who is a sophomore in college. Five years ago, I suffered a stroke. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with MS. Since that time, I've lost the use of one leg, one eye, and some of my cognitive abilities. Up until the time of my illness I had agreat job, and my wife and I were raising our two children while living the 'American Dream'. Since that time, I've learned one important thing; there is no help for middle class Americans when they need it.

I am totally disabled now. My disability is $1400 a month, which I am very thankful for. My wife works at a local school as the head custodian, full time (mostly for insurance). Her health insurance for our family is a little over $600 a month. At the end of the month, after insurance and taxes, she brings home a little over $500 a month. My medications, just with co-pays are around $300 every month, not to mention the numerous doctor trips that are necessary each month. Lord forbid when someone else in the family has an illness.

So, as you can see, money is very tight here. However, because I have worked hard my whole life, paid taxes, was fortunate enough to purchase a home (which I am still paying for), and purchase a couple of cars, social services said that my wife and I make too much money for any assistance. So, I've come to realize, there is no assistance for disabled, middle class Americans.

I'm not complaining about my disabilities. That is in God's hands and I accept whatever God gives me and I try to bring the positive out of it. What really gets to me, however, is that my family is being punished because I have worked hard my entire life and have tried to give them the best home that I could. MS has made a prison for me in my own body but it has also, at times, made a prison for my whole family in our own home. I love my children and my wife more than anything in the world and just as you; I try to give them the best quality of life that I can. What I have been seeking is a little assistance, but it seems that there's no help available. If I were dirt poor, I could get all of the help I needed. If I were rich, I wouldn't need any help at all. Since we are a working family, trying to do things the right way, we seem to be punished for it.

I am not eligible for the new prescription drug plan that the president has developed. I cannot get food stamps or fuel assistance of any kind. Where is the reasoning in all of this? My daughter has been working since she was 14 years old trying to help. Much of her childhood has been stolen, but I am so very proud of her. I've written numerous co-operations to ask about grants and support. They have all declined me. Now, I am asking you...A‚ … is there any help for middle class Americans, such as myself? Is the government just set up for the very poor and the very rich?

By M. Crews
Virginia

END-------------------------

DMW Appoints New NY State Director

Draft Mark Warner is pleased to annouce the appointment of a new State Director for New York. We already have a thriving group of New Yorkers who have been following this effort and are anxious to get to work for Gov. Warner and his future campaign.

Edward A. Hartzog – is an attorney and former staff member for the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs where he served both Chairman Morris K. Udall of Arizona and his successor the Hon. George Miller of California. He served as the Field Director for Congressman Anthony Weiner’s mayoral campaign in 2005 and was a field manager for Howard Dean’s presidential campaign in New York City. He was also a member of Senator Bill Bradley and Governor Dean’s lawyers’ committees in 2000 and 2004, respectively. He is the Executive Director of New Democratic Majority – a grassroots political organization based in New York City – and served as the Political Director for NDM, from 2004 to 2005. In addition to a law degree from Indiana University-Bloomington, he has an M.P.A. in Environmental and Economic Policy from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

We invite you to get involved in the NY effort. Join the NYforWarner Yahoo Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYforWarner/

Contact Ed and ask how you can help spread the word.

DMW Takes Campaign to Nebraska

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Jennifer Pullinger (434) 227-1715
Mike Smith (703) 623-3834

media@draftmarkwarner.com

Group Promoting Mark Warner for President
to Make Its First Appearance in Nebraska

Tuesday, August 15th - Draft Mark Warner, the Political Action Committee promoting a 2008 White House bid by former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, will kick off its Nebraska campaign to introduce Gov. Warner to Nebraska Democrats at the Nebraska Democratic Party State Convention in Grand Island the weekend of August 18th-20th. The group will host an information table, show a video, and pass out literature and other campaign materials at the event.

This marks the first time the Draft Mark Warner PAC has conducted on-the-ground activities in the state of Nebraska. The group already has field staff in Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri and organizations in thirty seven states.

Jeff Leanna of Omaha has been named State Coordinator of the Draft Mark Warner effort in Nebraska. Jeff is a life-long Nebraskan and has been active in politics since high school. Since 1998, he has been involved as a campaign consultant and staffer on more than three dozen political campaigns in three states, ranging from local school board races to a U.S. Senate campaign.

Jeff earned undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Geography from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Nebraska where he specialized in non-profit and organizational management.

Eddie Ratliff, founder of the Draft Mark Warner PAC, believes that Nebraska voters will be drawn to Gov. Warner’s vision for the nation. “When folks learn that he turned Virginia into the “Best Managed State in America”, and was among Time Magazine’s “Top 5 Governors”, they are naturally interested in him,” said Ratliff. “Our presence in Nebraska will provide an opportunity for interested citizens to get involved on the local level in laying the foundation for an expected Warner candidacy,” he added.

###


http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/

Josh Harvey Makes His Own Statement

I am modeling my new favorite t-shirt in the photo. I wore this t-shirt on Saturday to a Manhattan Young Dems training seminar. I received at least ten compliments and five inquiries into how a shirt like mine could be purchased (it's too bad only one of these t-shirts currently exists).

I was a little nervous about wearing a pro-Warner shirt in Hillary country, but I was pleasantly surprised at the reactions I witnessed... people had only positive things to say about the Governor.

I am working with a friend in Louisiana to do a first run of 10-15 shirts at a very cheap price. I will sell them (at cost) to my NY/NJ friends. I also plan to offer them on-line at a very reasonable price (enough to cover my costs) at http://www.markwarnerisgood.com/ once I get the website up and running.

Note: Josh is the Hudson County, NJ DMW Coordinator
Let him know what you think of his shirt or better yet...see if he can get you one! joshuah@draftmarkwarner.com

Warner Only '08 Candidate Represented in Arizona

The Dubois Center at the Arizona State University campus in Flagstaff was the site for the Arizona Democratic Party’s summer State Committee Meeting. Again, Gov. Mark Warner was the only potential presidential candidate for 2008 who was represented.

Although, we are not yet through the 2006 election’s cycle, there was serious interest in its implications, as far as the individual who will emerge as the Democratic candidate for president in 2008, and many people who stopped by the Warner table wished that the change could happen sooner than later, and that Mark Warner could be the anointed. There were handouts on every major issue, and the most requested ones was Gov. Warner’s statements of his position on the Iraq War. Everyone knew who Gov. Warner was, and some had attended the Heritage Dinner where he was the guest speaker on 9 July 2005, and remembered him as "warm", "down-to-earth", "very approachable" and "friendly". They asked how he was doing on the national scene, and we provided a printout of the PAC website’s http://www.forwardtogether/ which details his speaking and event schedule. For those who preferred the concise, we had the one page brochure which details all of his accomplishments in Virginia in a nutshell.

Individual personal folders were created for the fourteen County Chairs which included hand selected handouts, bumper stickers, and our newest item, Mark Warner pens, as briefing tools to assist them in jump starting local interest in their areas.

The Arizona Democratic Party’s Deputy Press Secretary, Alice McKeon, who previously worked for Gov. Warner in Virginia stopped by to say everything looked great, and asked for some Warner pens for herself and a colleague.

As tickler reminders for everyone, we offered smaller oval stickers, Mark Warner pens, and refrigerator magnets. And, for the already committed, bumper stickers. The DVD video of testimonials to the accomplishments of Gov. Warner in Virginia was the icing on the cake, and many stopped to watch it.

Mark Reza
Arizona State Chair

More Photos:

Enlarged photo of DMW Arizona State Director Mark Reza

Former Virginia resident Ellen L. Hemmendinger at Draft table

DMW interested potential supporters # 1

DMW interested potential supporters # 2

Many thanks to our Arizona team for their superb work. I really like the individual folders that contains loads of good Mark Warner information for all county chairs to take home and review!

Gov. Warner Wins NH Straw Poll

From the New Hampshire Insider:

Warner 32%
Clark 20%
Vilsack 14%
Feingold 10%
Clinton 10%
Edwards 5%
Kerry 3%
Daschle 2%
Bayh 1%
Richardson 1%
Biden 1%
Kucinich 1%

Gov. Warner Headed to New Hampshire

Former Governor Mark Warner will be in New Hampshire on August 18 and 19. On Friday, he will be at the Common Man Inn to stump for district 2 state senate candidate Deb Reynolds. The event will start at 1:30 pm, for more information contact Mailien Le at (949) 433-3576. Later on Friday, he will also be the special guest at a coffee and dessert social with Rep. Tom Buco at 6 pm. For details, contact Tom Buco at (603) 447-4985.

Former Governor Warner will begin Saturday at a special event held by the Stoddard Democrats at Lakefalls Lodge (Shinbone Shack) at 11am. Tickets to the event cost $10. For more information, or to purchase tickets contact Bob Englund at (603) 847-9727 or email him at englund@worldpath.net. Later that day, Warner will attend the Merrimack County Democrats' annual picnic in Bow, NH at Noon. For details contact Beth Cambell at treasurer@merrimackcountydemocrats.com. Following this event, Warner will head on to Portsmouth for an event in support of state senator Martha Fuller Clark at the Frank Jones Center at 5:30 pm. Please contact Scott Nichols for details at (603) 436-2464 or email him at scott@marthafullerclark.com. Finally, former Governor Warner will join Governor John Lynch in Kensington for an event beginning at 7 pm. Contact Sarah Nolan for more information at (603) 625-0075.

The Lies About Governor Warner & Taxes

Recently, someone in Iowa attacked Gov. Warner for doing the right thing for Virginia through tax reform.

With an absolutely squeaky clean record, the opposition is so fearful of a Warner candidacy, they are on the attack in cyberspace. So far the only thing they have been able to come up with is "He broke his promise not to raise taxes."

Here are the facts concerning Gov. Warner and taxes:

Gov. Warner lowered taxes for 65% of Virginians. The Virginia Republican Senate plan called for higher taxes than Gov. Warner proposed and successfully ushered through the 2/3 majority Republican Legislature.

It has been stated that Gov. Warner created a "phony fiscal crisis." There was no phony budget crisis. He inherited what was supposed to be an $800 million dollar deficit when he took office in 2001. Weeks later, he found out it was actually more like $3 billion and then $6 billion. Wall Street was threating to yank Virginia's AAA bond rating. Gov. Warner restored confidence in fiscal management of Virginia's tax dollars and salvaged the AAA bond rating.

As a result of Gov. Warner's strong management, Governing Magazine named him a "Top Public Official of the Year" in 2004." In November 2005, Time Magazine named him among the "Top 5 Governors in America."

Warner's Tax Plan is located online at: http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/WarnerTaxPlan.doc

Here's some basics:

Personal and Dependent Exemption was $800
Governor Warner's Plan-Personal and Dependent Exemption $1,000

Standard Deduction: Single-Was $3,000
Governor Warner's Plan-$4,000
Married Filing Jointly-Was $5,000
Governor Warner's Plan-$8,000
Married Filing Separately-Was $2,500
Governor Warner's Plan-$4,000

Rates and Brackets:

For taxable income:
Was $0-$3,000 2%
Warner's Plan: $0-$3,000 2%
$3,001-$5,000 3% (old plan)
Warner's Plan:$3,001-$7,000 3%
$5,001-$17,000 5% (old plan)
Warner's Plan: $7,001-$20,000 5%
$17,001-over 5.75% (old plan)
Warner's Plan: $20,001-$100,000 5.75%

$100,001-Over 6.25

% Sales Tax was: Was a combined state and local rate of 4.5%
Warners Plan: 1% increase in sales tax, excluding food, to a combined state and local rate of 5.5% effective July 1, 2004.

Sales Tax on Food: Was a combined state and local rate of 4.0%

Warner's Plan: 1% reduction in food tax rate, effective July 1, 2004; an additional 0.5% reduction in food tax rate, effective July 1, 2005. (Down 1.5 %)

State Cigarette Tax: Was taxed at a rate of Rate of 2.5 cents per pack (lowest cigarette tax in the country because some of the cigarette manufactuers are based in Virginia).

Warner's Cigarette Tax Plan: Increase rate by 22.5 cents to a total of 25 cents per pack, effective July 1, 2004. (use the cigarette tax increase to pay for health care)

Car Tax Plan from Previous GOP Governor/Mis-Manager Jim Gilmore: Reimbursements are currently frozen at 70% of liability. The original plan from Gilmore was to phase out the car tax althogether.

Warner's Car Tax Plan: Increase reimbursements to 77.5% for CY 2005, 85% for CY 2006, 92.5% for CY 2007, and 100% for CY2008, subject to the same conditions as are in the Code of Virginia now for revenue growth. Mark Warner's plan actually phases it out 100%.

Those are the basics and middle-class and lower income Virginians are benefiting from Gov. Warner's plan. Indeed a sizable majority of Virginians (Democrats & Republicans) agreed with and supported this common sense tax reform. You can see the actual plan online at http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/WarnerTaxPlan.doc

Gov. Warner's plan is a mixture of small increases in certain taxable cagatories in exchange for offsets in others. Overall, the plan works and was a thoughtful plan that turned the $6 billion deficit into a $544 million surplus. It also allowed for the single largest increase in K-12 education funding in Virginia history and the 2nd highest college & university funding in America.

Virginia voters appreciated Gov. Warner's management of the Commonwealth so much they elected his Lt. Governor Tim Kaine to succeed him on the promise he would continue Gov. Warner's legacy. Democrats have gained nine seats in the General Assembly since Gov. Warner took office, the first such gains in thirty years!

And....before anyone falls for any more of these lies, please take a look at:
http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/TaxReformPresentation.pdf

New Warner Information Fliers

We have uploaded a new flier that contains information on Gov. Warner's record on:

Jobs & the Economy
Healthcare
Education
The Environment
Homeland Security
Personal Information

To view and download the color version Click Here






To view and download a Black & White version Click Here

Please save a copy to your hard drive and distribute it to everyone you know.

Spread the Message!

2008 Candidates Handicapped

Potential 2008 Candidates Handicapped In Order

Democrats :
Hillary Clinton 4 to 1
Mark Warner 10 to 1 Good Odds for Gov. Mark Warner at this stage!
Evan Bayh 12 to 1
Joe Biden 18 to 1
John Edwards 20 to 1
John Kerry 25 to 1
Al Gore 30 to 1
Joe Lieberman 50 to 1
Harry Reid 50 to 1

Republicans:
Rudy Giuliana 7 to 1
John McCain 9 to 1
Mike Huckabee 13 to 1
Condoleezza Rice 13 to 1
Dick Cheney 14 to 1
George Allen 14 to 1
Mitt Romney 15 to 1
Mark Sanford 16 to 1
Jeb Bush 25 to 1
Rick Santorum 33 to 1
Colin Powell 50 to 1
Newt Gingrich 125 to 1
Arnold Schwarzenegger 200 to 1