Sen. John Warner won’t seek re-election
Just as I predicted yesterday. Now, let’s see if Mark announces or holds off for a possible VP slot.
UPDATE: Statements from DPVA Chairman Dickie Cranwell, Governor Tim Kaine, AG Bob McDonnell, LG Bill Bolling and Senator Creigh Deeds are below the fold.
UPDATE2: Added Sen. Jim Webb’s statement
UPDATE3: Added more from the AP wire
DPVA Chairman C. Richard Cranwell:
Richmond- Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman C. Richard Cranwell released the following statement upon Sen. John Warner’s retirement announcement:
“I have known John Warner for most of my political career. During that time he has served Virginia and the country with honor, bipartisanship and respect for the traditions of office. It will be incumbent on whoever replaces him to demonstrate many of these same qualities.
“Whether standing up to the President on Iraq or supporting Governor Warner’s budget reform in 2004, John Warner often put principle before party – a quality sadly lacking in too many Virginia Republican leaders today. His election, like the elections of Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and Jim Webb, demonstrates that Virginians want leaders who will reach across party lines and work together to get things done.
“As we look to 2008, Virginia Democrats are energized and excited about this race. We have any number of strong candidates who, like both John Warner and Jim Webb, recognize that we need to change this administration’s disastrous Iraq policies and work together on a host of issues to keep moving Virginia and America forward.”
Governor Tim Kaine:
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement today after U.S. Senator John Warner announced he will retire in 2009, at the conclusion of his current term:
“Senator Warner is a good friend, a great Virginian, and a true statesman. He has been a strong and reliable partner to my administration, and all Virginians should honor his distinguished leadership for our Commonwealth and nation. Over the next 16 months, I will continue to seek Senator Warner’s wise counsel and able assistance.”
Attorney General Bob McDonnell:
Richmond- Attorney General Bob McDonnell issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by United States Senator John Warner that he will not seek reelection in 2008:
“John Warner has devoted his life to the service of Commonwealth and Country. His life has placed him at the center of historic events that have helped shape our world. As a teenager, 62 years ago, John Warner volunteered to serve in World War II, and thereafter in Korea. He is one of the few remaining veterans of World War II still serving in the United States Senate. He continued his service to our country when he was appointed by President Nixon as Undersecretary of the Navy, and then Secretary of the Navy, during the Vietnam War.
In the summer of 1978, tragedy struck the Republican Party of Virginia with the death of Senate candidate Richard Obenshain. At a time of grief and loss, John Warner brought a devastated party together with grace, humility, and courage, and won the Senate seat he holds today. In the United States Senate he has been a leading authority on the military and foreign affairs, and a strong working partner with three different Republican Presidents. Throughout his time in Washington, Senator Warner has spoken his mind, and done what he believed best for the state and nation. While I have not always agreed with Senator Warner on certain political and policy matters, he is a Virginia gentleman, who believes in finding solutions and disagreeing amicably. He has accomplished enormous good for Virginia during his 5 terms in the U.S. Senate.
While Virginians would have benefited from John Warner’s continued service in the Senate, no one can fault the Senator for today’s decision. A lifetime of public service stands as the Senator’s legacy. Senator Warner will be missed, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling:
Earlier today, United States Senator John Warner announced that he would not seek re-election when his current term of office ends in 2008. In response to this announcement, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:
“John Warner has represented the people of Virginia with distinction in the United States Senate for the past twenty nine years. I commend him for that service.”
“While there have been times that I agreed with Senator Warner and times that I disagreed with him on policy issues, I always knew that Senator Warner would do what he thought was in the best interests of our country. That is the mark of a statesman, and John Warner is the epitome of what a public servant should be.”
“As we look ahead to 2008, we will have some big shoes to fill and much work to do. I am committed to doing everything I can to make certain that we elect a conservative candidate to represent the people of Virginia in the United States Senate.”
Senator Creigh Deeds:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — In response to the announcement by John Warner that he will not seek reelection to the United States Senate, Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds released the following statement:
“John Warner’s service to the Commonwealth and the country was defined not by political party or ideology, but by dedication to the welfare of his constituents and the prosperity of our nation. Virginia is a better place because of his leadership in the United States Senate. His wisdom, honesty and integrity during these challenging times will be missed.”
Senator Jim Webb:
Washington, DC—Senator Jim Webb today responded to Senator Warner’s decision to retire from the U.S. Senate:
“John Warner’s decision to retire from the Senate will cause this body to lose one of the great voices on behalf of our men and women in uniform and also a strong advocate for the people of Virginia. At a time when our political climate is as partisan and divisive as ever, John Warner embodies bipartisanship, courtesy and generosity. He is the quintessential Virginia gentleman.
“Senator Warner is skilled at reaching across the aisle to forge consensus when the people of Virginia and this country are looking for leadership. He maintains an independence and clarity of thought that are all too rare in Washington.
“Thirty five years ago, I was honored to serve on his staff in the Pentagon during my last year in the Marine Corps. We both served our country as Marines—John served in Korea; I served in Vietnam. We both served as Secretary of the Navy. And, today, we both hold seats in the U.S. Senate representing the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“While today is a bittersweet announcement for Virginia, the nation and the Senate, it bears emphasis that Senator Warner still has more than a year in office. During that time, he will continue to play a crucial role in formulating a more rational policy in Iraq. Just last week, we saw his leadership and independence on display once more. The President would do well to listen to John Warner during his last year in office.”
From the AP:
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“Sen. Warner made a splendid United States senator. He did Virginia proud, serving with both honor and ability. When his term ends next year, he will have served 30 years and during that long tenure, he consistently voted Virginia’s philosophy. He ends his Senate career as a recognized leader on national defense matters.” _ Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr., former U.S. senator from Virginia, whose father was Virginia’s longest serving U.S. senator, serving from 1933 to 1965.
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“I will miss serving with my friend and colleague, Senator John Warner. At a time when the tone in Washington is so often defined by partisanship and rancor, Senator Warner has always risen above the fray, focused on what he believed was the right course for our nation.” _ Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York.
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“His leadership and unwavering commitment to our soldiers and our nation’s defense will be missed. I particularly respect the thoughtful, reasoned approach Senator Warner takes to the problems and issues we face: John Warner always puts the Commonwealth and country before party and partisanship. … His independence and civility are something we need more of in our public life.” _ Former Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner
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“Senator Warner is a giant. For decades, he’s been everything a public servant should be: thoughtful, honorable, persistent, courageous and generous. He’s been that rare politician who cares more about getting things done than getting credit. He’s made Virginia a better place. He’s made our nation more secure.” _ Congressman Tom Davis, R-Va.
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“John Warner is a great American and a great patriot and we all are grateful to our state’s senior senator’s 30 years of dedicated service to the people of Virginia and the United States of America. His gracious, thoughtful and tireless leadership has left many enduring monuments that will continue to improve Virginia and the Unites States of America. Above all, John Warner will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to all Americans and especially our men and women in our armed services.” _ Former Virginia Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen.
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“Although we are sorry to see the people of Virginia lose such a tireless advocate as Sen. Warner, we respect his decision to retire from the Senate after 30 years of honorable service. The NRSC will be working with Senator Warner to field a strong Republican candidate to continue his work on behalf of the people of Virginia.” _ National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. John Ensign, R-Nevada.
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“John Warner has served the people of Virginia with distinction for nearly three decades. Throughout his distinguished career, John has been a leading advocate for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the men and women of our military and the security of our nation. … We are all better for having served with him and his Senate family will miss him.” _ U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
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“Over his nearly thirty years in the United States Senate, Senator Warner has been a strong and distinguished voice for the people of Virginia. He has given much to our nation and today all Americans can be thankful for his service to our country.” _ Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
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“John Warner has served this nation and the commonwealth with distinction.
He is a patriot, a statesman and a Virginia gentleman. He also has been a strong partner in Washington. For more than two decades he and I have worked on countless projects together to make this region a better place to live, work and raise a family.” _ Congressman Frank Wolf, R-Va.___
“Senator Warner has been a dedicated public servant spanning nearly three decades. His record of accomplishments and of service is second to none. He has served in the best tradition of a Virginia statesman. We need more leaders like Senator Warner and he will be sorely missed.” _ House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran.
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“Senator John Warner’s career was the personification of the word statesman in a time when America so desperately needed statesmen. His guiding hand will be missed in Virginia, and his knowledge and defense of our military not soon replaced in this country.” _ Congressman J. Randy Forbes, R-Va.
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VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
My fondest memory of Sen. Warner dates back 1994 and his opposition to the candidacy of Ollie “Constitution Schmonstitution” North. My best to him as he saunters off into the sunset.
One day, years ago, I visited the Senate offices of then Illinois Senator, Paul Simon and Virginia Senator, John Warner. The two of them could not have been more different and yet so similar.
From a midwest liberal Democrat to a southern conservative Republican the political differences could seemingly not have been greater. Yet both were true gentlemen, serving our Nation with a grace and dignity seldom found in the halls on Capitol Hill today.
Like the voice of Paul Simon, I will miss hearing Senator Warner’s and wish him well.
now you know why we should have term limits for congress, big question? can the VA. GOP hold the senate seat or are they really down for in VA.
The problem, as I see, it is that Virginia has no more military heros entering the political arena. In the case of John Warner’s soon to bevacated seat, we have two career GOP politicians who cannot begin to command the respect most of us have for Senator Warner. We also have Mark Warner, a successful Governor and businessman, but with no military experience.
Personally, I would like to see Mark Warner as Virginia’s Governor for a second term. However, if he choses to run for the US Senate, he will have my vote. In my view, he is still young enough to have Virginia’s interests in first place, and not his own. His brief flirtation as a presidential candidate did him no real harm.
Like Shawn, I met Senator Warner years ago, while touring his office and having lunch in a Senate dining room with a women’s group. It was an honor I will always remember. That was during the time that Mark was running against John and John took his campaign very seriously.
I don’t often post on Vivian’s Blog, but as a 68 year old native Virginian, I appreciate a place to come to once in a while….
Carole – by all means, come here as often as you like 🙂
Interesting point on the lack of military heroes. Is that because there are fewer folks who served in the military available to run or because those who have served do not wish to enter the political arena?
John Warner earned my respect over the Ollie North situation. (I do recall his original run for the Senate, mainly because he was married to Elizabeth Taylor at the time.) He has represented Virginia well.
If I had a vote in Mark Warner’s decision (and I don’t), I’d rather him pass on the Senate race in 2008.
Whom would you rather see run?
Vivian, my guess is that those who survived and returned to civilian life and who still had their health, chose other career options. There is always the possibility that among our returning Virginia Iraqi war veterans a few will direct their energies to improving Virginia/US through public service; even with all the “headaches” that comes with the job.
Our veterans are all heros to me.