Clinton vs. Warner

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

Will the Virginia governor slow Hillary’s march toward the Democratic nomination?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10401164/site/newsweek/page/2/
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Warner is an appealing figure in a Jimmy Stewart kind of way—boyishly lanky with a toothy smile that he good-naturedly complained one journalist likened to “mah-jongg tiles.” He made a lot of money in cell phones before going into politics and noted that every time others hear that annoying ring in public places, he hears k-ching, k-ching. Warner is a political novice compared to Hillary, but he’s shown a deft feel for the cultural obstacles that trip up Democrats. A key to his winning the governor’s race four years ago was his sponsorship of a team in the NASCAR Truck Series. It would have been a bit much to present himself as a devotee of stock-car racing, but he let NASCAR fans know he respected their culture. He did not venture beyond the line of authenticity, and it paid off.

The leading liberal blog, Daily Kos, says forget Hillary: “Warner is the one to watch.” It must drive Hillary bats to watch Warner glide seamlessly left while her lurches to the right are cast as opportunism. Hillary risks running the last campaign, or rather four campaigns ago, when candidate Bill Clinton interrupted his travels to go home to Arkansas and preside over the execution of a mentally retarded inmate whose last wish was to save his dessert for later. Warner’s political needs are different than Clinton’s were in ’92, but Warner is also operating in a changed environment when it comes to capital punishment.

The death penalty is under assault because of technology and the use of DNA evidence, along with growing moral qualms about the way it is applied. Warner’s successor in Virginia, Tim Kaine, turned his opposition to the death penalty into a plus. Warner can have it both ways; he presided over 11 executions in his four years as governor, so he’s no wuss. His challenge is to demonstrate expertise in national security, which he doesn’t have. Democrats want to win, and they’ll abandon Hillary in a New York minute if they think there’s a new more competitive model coming on line.

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I wouldn't characterize "presiding over 11 executions" as being something to be proud of or as a macho thing, personally.

[napi21]

1. That statement depends on the circumstances.

Every death penalty case is unique. I don't know anything about the ones in Va. under Warner's rule.

I don't like the DP either, but it is the law for now. If Warner made sure all possibilities were explored, like DNA, & verified ability of council, then he did a good job as Governor.

I think the penalties for drug possession are insane, but I can't fault the people who process offenders under the current law.

If we don't like the laws, we need to lobby out Reps to change them!

If an official abides by the laws, we can't fault them for that. That's part of the job.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. I thought the way the columnist described him as not being a

"wuss" was kind of, how-do-I-say-this, weak. I have mixed feelings about capital punishment, actually. It is certainly not a perfect system. Plenty of innocent people have been executed, that's for sure. Warner actually just granted clemency to the last person to have been executed "under his watch" (he would have been the 1,000 person to die in VA under the death penalty).

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. What nomination?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. For President.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. In the consolation match?

:shrug: