Nominee
Our entire campaign was in Hampton yesterday, for the Virginia State Democratic Convention, as Governor Warner officially accepted the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Over 2,000 Democratic activists were in attendance, and the room was packed as supporters waved signs and cheered loudly as Governor Warner took the stage with his wife, Lisa Collis.
From the Virginian-Pilot:
“Elections are about choices, and in this election for the United States Senate, Virginians will have a clear choice,” Warner said. “My opponent and I stand in sharp contrast in style, vision and record.” ... Warner pledged to wean Americans of dependence on oil by supporting development of alternative energy sources. He said he would work to expand health care and rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.
Here is more from the Associated Press:
Warner assailed the Bush White House for economic policies that he blamed for spiraling federal deficits, a bloated national debt and a dollar near all-time lows against other world currencies.“And you know what my opponent says? Let’s have more of the same,” Warner said.
Gilmore has attacked Warner for opposing oil drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. On Saturday, Warner noted his aversion to drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is shared by John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Warner said it would take 10 years for new Alaskan wells to become productive, time the nation should spend exploring clean uses for coal, nuclear power, and solar and wind energy.
With no nominations to decide, the convention became a pep rally for Warner’s race. He was the only Democrat to repeatedly bring the crowd of more than 2,000 to its feet.
We’ll have pictures and videos from the convention soon.