Why not Mark Warner for Obama's VP?

I am surprised that Mark Warner is not getting more press as a potential VP for Barack Obama. Warner was an extremely popular VA Governor and connects with rural voters. I think it is safe to say that if Mark Warner were not running for John Warner's Senate seat, he'd be a huge favorite for the VP slot. But lets assume he gave up the Senate run to be Obama's VP. I am sure the Virginia Democratic Party can find some other rising star to replace him for the race.

An Obama/Warner would cause tremendous turnout in Virginia, and as a result, the replacement Dem Senator would still be in a good position to beat the Republican. Especially the way GOP has been losing these House races, it is a clear sign that voters are going to favor Dems in the next election.

The NY Observer spelled out why Warner makes sense:





It’s also worth noting the overlap between Warner’s political universe and Obama’s. Warner himself hasn’t endorsed anyone for president (because of his status as a Senate candidate), but his wife chaired a “Women for Obama” committee in Virginia. And when Warner opted not to run for president in the fall of '06, most of his top financial backers—Beyer included—shifted their allegiances to Obama, who was then on the verge of entering the race.

I think the risk (which I think will be low) of losing a Senate seat is outweighed by the benefits Warner would bring to the Dem ticket.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/12/82731/5069

http://www.observer.com/2008/obama-warner-scenario

and it looks like Obama can carry this state without Warner as a running mate. He was a fine governor and will be a great senator, but in terms of helping in swing states Richardson and Edwards look better to me.

IMO

If he wasn't, he'd be a shoe-in for Obama's VP slot.

He could have won this election.

If Hillary had won the nomination, he'd be a shoe-in for her too.

I still think he'll run in 2012 (if we lose) or 2016. He's still young.

He'll be one of our best candidates for 2016.

Though I would definitely support him on the VP slot. Starting in 2006, he was my #1 choice for the top of the ticket, mostly because he was a popular Democratic GOVERNOR in a Red state, which I thought was exactly what this country needed after the divisive Bush Presidency. We needed someone who could bridge the gap, someone whom everyone could consider "their President".

Now I think Obama has come through in this manner more than I could have ever hoped.

What's more the GOVERNOR bit was very important to me because Governors WIN and Senators LOSE. This time we've got an exception to the rule because both candidates will be sitting senators for the first time that I know of (when was the last?????!?!?!). The last sitting senator to win an election was JFK.

Anyway, while I'd love him in the Senate, I'd be willing to lose him for the VP slot, which would all but guarantee 16 years in the White House.

And I guess the reason people are talking Webb and ignoring Warner is that Webb is already a sitting Senator and VA has a Democratic governor.

David