Warner says no to VP spot

Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: June 14, 2008

Former Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner said today he would not accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination.

Speaking to Virginia Democrats at their state convention here, Warner said he is devoted “110 percent” to winning the U.S. Senate seat this fall.

Warner is one of three Virginia politicians, including Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who have been mentioned as possible running mates for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Webb and Kaine, who also spoke at the convention today, did not rule accepting the nomination, but said they did not expect it to be offered to them.

About 2,500 Democrats are attending the convention at the Hampton Convention Center.

Democrats had hoped Obama would come to Virginia to address the convention, but he was in the state last week. Obama was holding a town hall meeting in Philadelphia today.

The Obama campaign says Virginia is in play this year, although the state has not gone for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson, 44 years ago.

In addition to the speeches, delegates to the convention are electing 18 at-large delegates to the national convention in Denver, 11 pledged delegates, two unpledged delegates and two representatives to the electoral college.