Warner Criticizes Democrats strategy...AP, MIKE GLOVER
AMES, Iowa - Mark Warner, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, voiced growing concern Tuesday with his party's electoral strategy, arguing that Democrats' willingness to write off sections of the country could make it nearly impossible to win the White House.
"I got pretty frustrated after 2004," said the former Virginia governor. "We are making a mistake if we put up candidates that are only competitive in 16 states and then we roll the dice and hope we win Ohio or Florida."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Warner insisted he wasn't being critical of 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, whom he called "a very strong candidate." But Warner said Democrats must stop conceding entire regions of the country.
"We do our party and the country a disservice if we're not competitive in the South and the balance of the Midwest," Warner said. "I'm disappointed in campaigns that write off the South and leave behind wide swaths of our country."
Warner spoke after a campaign appearance in Ames, home of Iowa State University and a popular spot for Democratic contenders. To be successful, he said, Democrats must reach beyond bastions such as college towns.
"We've got to have candidates who can campaign not only in Ames, but at NASCAR races, candidates who can campaign in the barrio and changing communities," Warner said. "We've got to have a message that's more focused on solutions than simply focused on criticism." |
