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Blog
Forward Together
November 10, 2005
Hi, thanks for stopping by the Forward Together website. While you’re here, I hope you’ll check out some of the information about what we’ve been working on in Virginia over the last four years. As well as some of our ideas of where the country needs to head in the coming months and years.
We’ve just finished a hard campaign with a terrific victory. The win was an affirmation of what we’ve been doing in Virginia over the past four years, with Governor-elect Tim Kaine a partner by my side in that effort. The win was a rejection of the relentless negative campaigning by the other side. What struck me was that 98% of the job of being Governor dealt with things the opposition was not talking about—things like balancing the budget, keeping education fully funded, and grappling with transportation issues. I think Virginians saw that too. The message that won was positive and forward looking, focused on results and solutions.
I’ve still got two months of being Governor in Virginia, and have a few new initiatives and a budget to produce. After I finish this job, I want to be one of the voices that debate where the Democratic Party is headed. I plan on blogging more often too. Again, thanks for checking out Forward Together.
General Discussion
November 15, 2005
Welcome to the general discussion area of Forward Together. After signing up, feel free to make your comments related to the activities of Forward Together, share your releated links, and engage fellow supporters in discussion.
The Youth Vote in 2006
November 17, 2006
The Youth Vote in 2006
Virginia recap and News clips
November 16, 2005
Thanks for stopping by the blog. I'll be posting regularly on the blog over the coming weeks and months, so here's an introductionof myself and then some news clips.
I have been working with the Governor for over 2.5 years now. I've spent a lot of time working with campaigns, local parties and the Young Democrats (I am currently President of the Virginia Young Democrats).
In that time, some amazing things have happened here in Virginia. In 2003, we had a net gain of 3 seats in the House of Delegates; the first time in 25 years we gained seats. Then in December 2004, Democrats won a special election in a Republican District. And then this fall we gained another seat in the House of Delegates. And you know the rest of the record.
I've included some articles that will probably be of interest to you in the extended entry.
Boston & New Hampshire
November 17, 2005
Governor Warner's up in the northeast today and tomorrow. I'm already in Cambridge, where there's a couple of events later today at the JFK School of Government. The Governor's here to discuss the direction of the party, during a forum event for the Institute of Politics, held by Adam Nagourney. Afterwards, he's meeting with the Harvard Young Democrats (and I'll get some photos and coverage of this latter event).
Tomorrow, we'll be up in the Granite State. Governor Warner is speaking at an Education Roundtable along with New Hampshire's Governor Lynch in Nashua. Afterwards, he'll be meeting with the Democratic State Senate Caucus in Manchester. I'll blog the roundtable for sure, we'll see about the luncheon, and I'll be sure and get some photos for Governor Warner's first visit to New Hampshire as Forward Together's Honorary Chair. It won't be our last either, as there's a few Republican-held seats here that the PAC would like to help turn Democratic in 2006.
Harvard Dems
November 18, 2005
Great turnout and enthusiasm among the Harvard Dems listening to Governor Warner speak following the forum event (packed as well). I took a few photos of the event at the young Democrats.The Progressive Progress blogged about the event, and the Harvard Crimson (via RK) did a write-up. Here's a snapshot from the event with the Young Democrats:
I'll upload more photos from yesterday and today in New Hamphire into Flickr.
Education Roundtable in Nashua, New Hampshire
November 18, 2005
John Lynch, the popular Governor of New Hampshire, introduced Governor Warner for the education roundtable. Governor Lynch raised the profile of the idea in New Hampshire of lowering the dropout rate among students in High School by raising the dropout age from 16 to 18. In his introduction, Governor Warner spoke about his work while he was the Chairman of the National Governor Association, including the initiative of "Redesigning the American High School" (.pdf)
Other participants in the forum were students from Nashua High School South, educators and the business community, giving testimonials and reflections on providing solutions to the problem of High School dropout rates. The discussion revolved around how to help High School students that are not going down the traditional path of education, and how the High Schools can better provide them with opportunities that give them jobs in the real world once they leave school.
Here's a couple of photos from the event. First, one with Governor Warner talking with a New Hampshire woman about education, with Governor Lynch in the center.
The second is of Governor Warner with the Principal of Nashua South, and the student whom sang (very well) the national anthem to open the event.
I did attend the Democratic luncheon in Manchester, and it rocked. I'll post some photos and more about it up next.
Full House for Governor Warner in Manchester, New Hampshire
November 18, 2005
Standing room only (actually they opened a second room), and you can see my view of the speech was atop the corner press riser. This was a fantastic luncheon with the Democratic State Senators of New Hampshire (it will be aired on C-SPAN's "Road to the White House").
As one staffer from a former `04 campaign remarked to me, "I came in here just looking" and that he was blown away, saying afterward, "he's our guy."
Governor Warner entered into the luncheon with the Democratic NH state senators, gave around a 20 minute speech to over-flowing crowd around 200 of the "movers and shakers" in the Democratic Party, from all over the state, and then answered questions from the audience. I'll post the time of when it airs on C-SPAN this weekend, or someone else can in the comments, but you have to catch this speech by Governor Warner in Manchester.
Governor Warner is pictured above with old friend of his, Jeff Meyers, who is a Lawyer now in Manchester. Meyers and the Governor were roomates at George Washington University. There's a couple more photos of Governor Warner working the crowd in the extended entry.
Open Thread
November 22, 2005
I'll post soon about upcoming events for the next couple of weeks, focused on Governor Warner's upcoming visits, and Forward Together activities. In the mean time, feel free to ask any questions you have here in the comments, and post links to articles or share links to what's going on over the net related to Governor Warner and Forward Together.
Happy Thanksgiving
November 24, 2005
On behalf of Governor Warner and all of us here at Forward Together PAC, we wish you a Happy and safe Thanksgiving. ;Enjoy the day, the parades, some food and good football.
Upcoming Events of Mark Warner and Forward Together
November 27, 2005
Governor Warner will be the Democratic guest speaker at the Gridiron Club's annual winter dinner for members and their spouses, on December 3rd. And we are only a few days away from the Forward Together Gala , on December 6th, which will be the Kick-off event for the PAC.
Governor Warner is soon thereafter making a couple of trips in the south. First, in South Carolina, December 7-8th, as the speaker for a Democratic Dinner honoring South Carolina's 4 Democratic Governors. Then, Governor Warner will be traveling to the Florida Democratic Party Convention on December 10-11th, and speaking to Democrats; along with Senator Barack Obama, who will be the keynote speaker at the event. If you are in South Carolina or Florida, be sure to come by and say hi to Governor Warner.
Weekly Wrap of the News
December 02, 2005
Here in Virginia, with heating bills subject to rise significantly, Governor Warner moved to provide funding so that low-income families throughout Virginia will be provided with assistance in paying their heating bills: Warner and 17 other governors tried unsuccessfully to secure more money from Congress this year for a federal fuel assistance program in response to escalating energy costs."If we simply wait for the federal government and Congress to act, we may be sitting here at the end of the winter with still no action," Warner said. Out on the blogs for your reading: Slantblog' Warner Calls for Milestones discusses Iraq; Governing.com discusses the myth of political polarization; and there's no question where Winderkinder stands.
Forward Together Gala
December 06, 2005
This week is the official kickoff for the Forward Together PAC. We're holding a gala celebration on Tuesday, December 6th. I'll have photos and video from the event to post here afterwards.
 We are ready to shake things up. America is a country that was born of revolution, and Americans' best values are hard work and innovation.
Our country has always been at its best when we've given everyone a fair shake and a shot at the American Dream.
Americans are ready to step up and face our challenges. The time is right for us to lead again.
- Governor Mark R. Warner.
If you are ready to lead, click here to contribute.
Update: The Gala event was fantastic. I've got some pictures that I'll post, and we'll hopefully be able to get the video of the event online soon.
Photos from the Gala
December 07, 2005
Here are a few photos from the event. Governor Warner and his wife Lisa Collis were introduced by Governor-Elect Tim Kaine. Don Beyer, one of the PAC's Chairs, and Megan Beyer are also pictured and spoke.
Governor Warner speaking at the event:
Governor Warner warmly introducing his wife, Lisa Collis:
Here's a short video clip of Governor Warner speaking.
Gala success and Warner wows S.C. Democrats
December 08, 2005
The Gala was a smash, as Warren Fiske wrote for The Virginian-Pilot:Gov. Mark R. Warner flexed his financial muscle as a potential presidential candidate on Tuesday night, raising $2.5 million for his national political action committee at a gala dinner. The receipts set a Virginia record for a political fundraising event...
About 900 people - many of them Northern Virginia business executives and technology investors with longtime ties to the Democratic governor - crowded into a ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The event was the fundraising debut for Forward Together, Warner's PAC. And in South Carolina last night, Governor Warner spoke at a dinner honoring South Carolina's four living former Democratic governors. From The Post and Courier's John Frank:Virginia Gov. Mark Warner appears to have wrapped up South Carolina's 2008 Democratic presidential primary more than two years before voters will go to the polls and after only his second visit.Not to mention, Warner hasn't even officially entered the race yet. But the reception at a state party fundraiser Wednesday night was overwhelmingly supportive of the lame-duck governor, whose political stardom is on the rise after he led his party to victory in Virginia's recent gubernatorial election.
Political observers consider him one of the Democratic front- runners for the White House if he chooses to run. Warner said he had not made up his mind yet.... Wow. Governor Warner said: "I don't have any timetable, but I do feel a little like the flavor of the month in terms of all the attention."
Video from Gala
December 09, 2005
I've put up the video (quicktime) of Governor Warner speaking for the kickoff of Forward Together. It's on the Forward Together PAC website. I'm heading down to Florida Saturday and Sunday, where Governor Warner will be speaking Sunday Morning, at the Forida Democratic Party Convention. I'll be sure and put up some photos afterwards. Feel free to post any links or news that you've read and want to share about Governor Waner.
At the Florida Democratic Convention
December 11, 2005
 The Florida Democratic Convention was a packed event, and we got around quite a bit with meetings and events with Floridians that are looking forward to a big win in '06. Governor Warner went down yesterday afternoon to Orlando, and spoke at a breakfast event Sunday morning.
This is a photo of Governor Warner speaking at a press event Saturday that he held with St. Senator Skip Campbell, who is running for AG in Florida (I've got some more that I'll put up later). The Governor spoke this morning to about 400-500 delegates and officials, with an emphasis on the Virginia record in education during his term.
Hotline's Marc Ambinder blogged on the speech, The Warner Stump, and has other coverage of the convention. After the Governor's speech this morning, he stopped by and spoke before the Hispanic, African-American, and Young Democrats caucus, for a short visit. The trip went great, the Governor's message of a results-oriented approach to governing is exactly what people want from the nation's leadership.
Governor Warner in Florida & the news
December 12, 2005
 The NY Times today has a story by Raymond Hernandez,After Success as Governor in G.O.P. Stronghold, Democrat Seeks a National Identity, about Mark Warner. For more coverage of the event in Florida, Democrats seek new route to power. And Mark Warner gave his last speech as Governor of Virginia over the weekend, Warner wows grads at NSU. Here's a couple of more photos from Florida, the first (others in extended entry), at a Skip Campbell AG event held where Governor Warner speaking:
Happy Birthday Governor Warner
December 15, 2005
We'll be getting the video of Governor Warner that was shown at the Gala on the web soon, and there's a podcast of the Governor's FDP speech that some Florida Dems have said they'd put online. I'll link to those once they are up. In the meantime, Candy Crowley of CNN featured Gov Warner, looking ahead (see video link) and Governor Warner was on Capital Sunday which is also online.
Locally, The Connection and Times Community provide local coverage of the Forward Together Gala event with Governor Warner. The Governor is still Governor though, and has been busy securing funding for transportation , cleaning up Chesapeake Bay, and attracting new biotechnology companies to Virginia.
Gala clip of Kaine and Warner
December 16, 2005
Here's a clip of Lt. Governor Tim Kaine and Governor Warner from the Forward Together gala event (not the five minute intro, that's still in the works):
QuickTime
Windows
From the AP wire story: Governor Warner today proposed the Virginia budget, with an emphasis on educational funding.
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