What Makes a Winner?

Often in America people gauge your success on whether you win or lose, or by how high you climb the ladder. Most people look at the outside of a man and few look at his heart. My friends we have seen the heart of a true winner and champion in Mark Warner. A man who was well on his way the White House, a man who became a rock star over night and a man who choose his family first.

I for one am still deeply saddend by Mark Warners annoucement not to pursue the White House in 2008. I am still convinced that he is the only choice for America in this crucial time. That being said Mark Warner has already won. He has choosen lifes most precious gift, he has choosen his family.

A winner has the ability to make life changing decisions and to always put others first. A winner can take both sides and find common ground to build upon. A winner can connect with all people on all levels. A winner has a heart larger then life it self. Mark Warner has been able to do all of this .

I hope and pray Mark will change his mind, if he chooses not to, he will always be a winner in my eyes.

Warner Supporter Always,
Rev. J. G.

What Now?

Questions & Answers:

Q: How is the Draft Movement Coping With the News?
A: Obviously we are disappointed but inspired that he loves his family enough to put ambition aside to spend quality time with them. We respect and understand the decision but still, this is a tremendous loss for the Democratic Party and the nation.

Q: Are you still drafting Gov. Warner for President?
A: Yes but we will not be actively campaigning for him now that he has made his announcement. Things can happen quickly in politics. We still believe he is the best candidate Democrats could put forth. We take him at his word & realize he probably will not be there in '08 however, the leadership qualities that inspired us to begin this effort have not changed.

Q: What can I do to convince him to change his mind?
A: Gov. Warner is not known for making decisions lightly & saying one thing but doing another. That being said, we can continue to expand the circle of Warner supporters on some level. If he takes the plunge in the future, having a stronger network will be vital. The online petition has been revised to encourage Gov. Warner to accept the call in the future or a VP slot on the ticket. If you did not sign the petition, sign it. Ask everyone you know to sign it too. It will remain online indefinitely until he answers the call or is too old to be president.

Q: Where do we go from here?
A: First, he has asked his supporters to get involved in the November 2006 elections and help Democrats change the direction of the country by taking back the Senate and Congress. That's what he is doing. In the short term, that is what most of us will focus on.

Q: Will the Draft website remain online?
A: A final determination has not been made about the current one. A better one with a slightly different focus will likely replace it.

Q: Will the PAC continue to exist?
A: We do not know. We need some time to rest and consider all possibilities.

Q: How can I stay connected with other Warner supporters and friends I made through my involvement in this movement?
A: Subscribe to the Mark of Leadership Periodic Newsletter (link below) & visit our new website when it is announced.

Q: How can I let Gov. Warner know what I think about his decision and/or express my willingness to help him go the distance when he is ready?
A: Our new site will have an open blog or other forum for you to post your comments and let him know what issues are important to you.

Q: What happens to any funds the Draft has left over? Can DMW funds be donated to another campaign?
A: This effort has never been about raising money. We only raised the funds necessary to carry out our mission as events were conducted. Any funds left over will be used to keep Gov. Warner's name, values, & ideas before the American people. We are a single-candidate PAC. If there are excess funds, we must consult with the FEC before making contributions to other candidates.

Wrestling With it With Sincerity & Conviction

Let me just share one possibly sappy reason why those of us who see uncommon qualities of leadership and character in Governor Warner should be happy for him, especially in the current climate of unprecedented personal attacks, scapegoating, and disappointment in the quality of our national leadership.

This wasn’t because of some revelation about to hit the wires.

The Governor and his family are happy, healthy and solid.

This wasn’t because of any illness or disease.

There is no sad story or sudden incident with which Governor Warner and his family have had to cope.

Mark Warner says he wants a full life with his children. He doesn’t want to have to worry about whether the scheduler puts his Dad’s 82nd birthday BBQ on the books next year. He wants to be at Parent’s Day when his daughter Madison starts college. He clearly doesn’t want an aide to be the one to remind him of his kid’s birthdays or his anniversary. I’m sure he is already planning some family road trips .

Well what do you know: Mark Warner loves his family and wants a life.

And as far as I am concerned: This decision and the reasons for it are even more eloquent confirmation of what many of us thought we saw in this man. This Governor, this father, this husband, this public servant turns out to be a complete human being, a guy who couldn’t stomach missing a Parent’s Day or a family BBQ.

So it turns out that -- more than we ever imagined -- we have been supporting the right guy all along.

There’s only one problem, Governor Warner: This new window into who you are and what drives you is the last thing that is going to get us to hit the road. Speaking for myself, it only hardens a belief in the absolute necessity of your continuing national leadership and, yes, your candidacy for President.

Enjoy the BBQ. And the Parent’s Days. And the road trips.

We’re not going anywhere.

Steve Gorelick

Warner Decision to Not Run for President

Press Release

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

Draft Mark Warner Response to Gov. Mark Warner's
Decision to Not Run for President

October 12th, 2006—Nearly two years ago, Draft Mark Warner began a quest to convince Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. Since that time, Warner supporters from across the nation have been engaged in building support for a Warner candidacy.

We started this effort because America is on the wrong path and the nation is looking for someone to step up and lead. Gov. Warner is the “Mark” of Leadership.

Draft Mark Warner supporters continue to believe Gov. Warner is the right man, with the right message, at the right time. Today’s announcement does not change that reality. He was not a candidate for president when this effort began. His supporters will not vanish. We will continue to urge a change of direction in Washington. Gov. Warner has lifted the bar for those who will run in 2008.

Partisan division is a destructive force in this nation. Gov. Warner has the support of the vast majority of Virginians, including many Republicans. He has made countless new friends nationwide, as have we. Those of us who have benefited from his gifted talents will continue to support him as he charts his future. It has been a privilege.

We will continue to evaluate the sentiments of the movement and monitor the response from his followers.

http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/.

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DMW MeetUps are Growing

If you are in the Columbus, Ohio area or within driving distance, a new Draft Mark Warner for President MeetUp has been formed and the first meeting is scheduled for later this month. Many thanks to Matt Slaybaugh for taking this step for Gov. Warner's future campaign!

To join the Ohio for Warner MeetUp group, Click Here.

You can RSVP for the MeetUp online.

Other new MeetUps include:

Boston, MA

Cambridge, MA

Columbus, OH

NYC, NY

Richmond

Worcester, MA

Vienna, VA

DMW to Rally Richmond Area Democrats

Press Release

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

Draft Mark Warner Returns to Home Base -- Richmond Rally This Week
Draft Movement to Focus on "Meet-Up" and Names Honorary Chairs

October 9th, 2006--Draft Mark Warner, the Internet-based Political Action Committee supporting Mark Warner for president, is rallying Democrats in Richmond this week and continues its strategy to drive Virginia Democrats to vote in the 2008 election for a potential Mark Warner candidacy. Gov. Warner has not declared but has said he will make that decision after the election.

Past and present prominent Virginia elected officials are lining up to support Gov. Warner's anticipated presidential bid. Richmond businessman and former Delegate R.S. (Major) Reynolds III, State Senator Henry Marsh III, and Delegate Frank Hall have been named Honorary Co-Chairs of the Virginia Draft Mark Warner effort for the greater Richmond Area.

Reynolds and Marsh will be guest speakers Tuesday night at a special "Momentum Building MeetUp," hosted by Draft Mark Warner. This event will be held at the Tobacco Company Restaurant, 12th & Cary Street in Richmond from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by the Draft organization and there will be a cash bar. Delegate Hall will be the guest speaker at the November Richmond MeetUp to be held at the same location on the second Tuesday of each month.

Similar events have been held in Roanoke and Bristol where former State Senator Madison Mayre serves as Honorary Chair for Southwest Virginia. Additional momentum building efforts are planned for Arlington, Alexandria, Vienna, Loudoun County, and Hampton Roads. Distinguished Co-Chairs will be announced for each area of the state in late October.

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

www.draftmarkwarner.com

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