Party Features

Unhappy Gilmore’s Tone-deaf Shad Planking Antics

Posted by Danae on Thursday, April 17



Once again we are reminded of why Mark Warner is the best candidate to represent Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

During the annual Shad Planking in Wakefield, Mark Warner honored the spirit of the traditionally bipartisan festival and talked about his goal of going to the U.S. Senate to build a coalition of centrist problem-solvers. That's the way Warner served as Governor, and that's why we need to elect him to the Senate this November.

Jim Gilmore, on the other hand, made a choice to display the failed, desperation politics of the past. Gilmore was hyper-partisan, mean-spirited and factually dishonest.

Jim Gilmore - failed Governor, failed Republican National Committee chairman, failed presidential wannabe, and a floundering candidate today.

Gilmore has proven he can't generate any excitement among members of his own party, he can't raise any money, and he even faces a strong challenge for the GOP nomination.

That must be why he resorts to the failed style of politics Virginia voters have been rejecting.

The contrast was so obvious that newspapers from across the state picked up on it. Here's what they said:

Associated Press
"Warner spoke of bipartisan cooperation during remarks at the annual Shad Planking, a unique Virginia Tidewater spring political festival. He pledged to become a "radical centrist" if elected to fill Republican John W. Warner's seat. Gilmore didn't trifle with such bipartisan pleasantries. He ripped into Warner describing him as an untrustworthy and tax-happy opportunist.... Combative from the start, Gilmore sought to weld his fortunes to those of presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his supporters brandished McCain-Gilmore yard signs, even though McCain has made no endorsement in the Virginia race."

Richmond Times Dispatch
"Minutes yesterday after Democrat Mark R. Warner called for a bipartisan approach to governing, Republican Jim Gilmore accused him of going back on the promises he made when he ran for governor in 2001. The normally light-hearted mood of the annual Shad Planking quickly evaporated..."

Daily Press
"Republican Jim Gilmore attacked Democrat Mark R. Warner on Wednesday on everything from the war in Iraq to the war on taxes, further signaling that the upcoming Senate race could be full of sparks. Against the backdrop of the unique Virginia political festival known as the Shad Planking, Gilmore was in full campaign mode in addressing the crowd and delivering a stump speech heavy on policy. Warner took a less confrontational approach in his speech, as did the other Republican in the race, Del. Bob Marshall of Prince William County."

Free Lance Star
"Warner, the only Democrat running for the seat, talked about bipartisan cooperation, vowing to create a "radical centrist" group of 10-12 senators from both parties if he's elected... Gilmore made a serious speech focused almost entirely on Warner,"

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