Ex-Guv keeps his eye on the White House

For someone who quips in speeches that he’s unemployed, Mark Warner sure has been busy lately.

Operating out of his Alexandria headquarters, the former governor—and presumed presidential candidate—has been jet-setting around the country to raise money and deliver stump speeches. Warner’s flurry of activity has chipped away at his low public profile, and his coffers are now the second-largest among the top 20 presidential hopefuls. But he still remains a distant runner-up to New York senator Hillary Clinton.

According to an analysis by the political journal Hotline, Clinton has raised almost $20 million to the $5.2 million raised by Warner’s Forward Together political action committee. Clinton is also attracting many Democratic heavy-hitters, who are bringing their campaign experience (and decade-long losing streak) to her camp.

Only 3 percent of Democrats nationwide tagged Warner as their presidential preference in a February poll. But mounting media coverage, including a lengthy cover profile in The New York Times Magazine and attacks on Warner by conservative pundits, are sure to bring those numbers up.

And in a sign that he is becoming a real Beltway warrior, Warner has taken a tentative step into the most dangerous minefield for any presidential candidate: the Iraq War. According to an Associated Press report, Warner told a Washington audience on May 9 that while he hopes the war is successful, he would consider the withdrawal of U.S. troops if progress is not made in coming months.—Paul Fain