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| Warner Decides Not to Seek Sixth Term |
| 2007-09-01 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia, one of the most authoritative voices in Congress on the military and a key figure in the debate over Iraq, said Friday he will not seek a sixth term in 2008. Warner, 80, has held the seat since 1979, when the dashing former Navy secretary campaigned alongside his wife at the time, Elizabeth Taylor. "Public service is a privilege and I urge all to try to find time some time in their lifetime to serve the needs of others," Warner said at a news conference. "I have tried to be not only true to myself, but true to the people of this great commonwealth I've served for 29 years now." Warner, who chaired the Armed Services Committee when the GOP controlled the Senate, thanked those who had helped give him "a magnificent and very rewarding career" in the Senate. Warner, a courtly senator with chiseled features and a full shock of gray hair, chose a sentimental setting for his announcement: the steps of the University of Virginia's signature structure, the Rotunda, designed by school founder Thomas Jefferson. The most likely Democratic contender is former Gov. Mark R. Warner, a wealthy Alexandria businessman who left office in early 2006 with unprecedented job-approval ratings. Mark Warner, who is not related to the senator, unsuccessfully challenged him in the 1996 Senate race. The nomination battle among Republicans probably will include former Gov. Jim Gilmore and U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis. |
| Posted by: |
| #4 Door. Butt. Sunset. |
| Posted by: Phinater Thraviger 2007-09-01 19:32 |
| #3 Foghorn T. Leghorn departs the scene. To quote bugs bunny: "What a maroon!". |
| Posted by: WTF 2007-09-01 12:36 |
| #2 Loss of Rinos should not be regretted. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-09-01 10:57 |
| #1 Republican Sen. John I regret the potential loss of a R vote in the senate, but this POS was getting tiresome with his "elder statesman" pose, most recently with a 5,000 troop reduction proposal for Iraq, to "show something..." |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-09-01 08:55 |