In an article in this morning’s Virginian Pilot, it was said that former governors Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore disagree on the bailout plan. Color me surprised – not 
Warner is “convinced” of the need for federal intervention while Gilmore is not so sure.
But that’s not what caught my eye. What caught my eye in this story was not the reference to Warner’s wealth, something nearly always mentioned whenever his name is, but the reference to Gilmore’s:
Warner and Gilmore have very different business and economic backgrounds. Both were trained as lawyers and have become millionaires, but Warner’s net worth – estimated at $200 million – is at least 10 times Gilmore’s.
OK, so Gilmore’s net worth is $20 million? By everyone’s standards (and that includes John McCain), he’s rich. So stop with the rich man/poor man characterizations already.
Amen.
Posted by Dan Geroe | Monday, September 29, 2008, 2:40 pmSo, Warner has been more successful, so we should vote for Gilmore?
Am I missing something?
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Monday, September 29, 2008, 3:38 pmI think by any standards they’re both incredibly successful men (financially speaking). I do confess that in spite of this, I feel kind of badly for how badly Jim Gilmore is going to get schooled; everything he’s said indicates that it really is going to take him by surprise, and I don’t know how he’s going to deal with the shock.
Posted by silence dogood | Monday, September 29, 2008, 3:47 pmYes, silence, they are both financially successful. Which was my point, Mouse.
Posted by vjp | Monday, September 29, 2008, 3:58 pmHaving reviewed the financial disclosures of both men in previous races, it surprised many of us that neither side, nor the Press reported, or made an issue of just how little of each of these “Virginians” had invested in their home turf. While Warner tried to create some cover for this issue by buying municipal bonds prior to his last race, both men, while talking about creating opportunities here, have parked much of their personal wealth in multinationals and offshore.
Posted by J. Tyler Ballance | Monday, September 29, 2008, 5:22 pmI got your point, Vivian. It’s the Pilot’s point I don’t get.
JTB — That’s called “diversification.”
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Monday, September 29, 2008, 5:51 pmHonestly I’m not surprised that both are wealthy. Although I’ll admit I had no idea Gilmore was worth that much.
Which begs the question as to why he didn’t sink more into his campaign. As well as why he felt the need to repay that $50,000 loan to himself.
And, silence is right. There will be one person surprised about the outcome of this race on November 4.
Posted by Mike | Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 1:01 am