Opinion: Mark Warner’s keynote strictly an opening act
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
DENVER -- Barring an unexpected political collapse, Virginian Mark Warner will be heading to the U.S. Senate after November’s election.
He may one day emerge as a serious, well-funded presidential contender.
But if he does, it’s doubtful his turn as the keynoter at this year’s Democratic National Convention will be remembered as a moment that gave his political career a measurable boost (as Barack Obamareceived from his keynote address in 2004).
The arena at Pepsi Center was largely full when Warner, the former governor of Virginia, took his place on center stage. But much of the crowd was still milling about. His audience wasn’t rude, and some of his lines got some decent cheers.
But most inside the hall seemed to be saving their full attention for the night’s headline event -- Hillary Clinton’s speech.
Warner himself wryly took note of his situation as he wrapped up his remarks, saying:
As governor of Virginia, it was humbling to occupy a position that was once held by Thomas Jefferson. Almost as daunting as delivering the keynote speech four years after Barack Obama or speaking before Hillary Clinton.
He gets good marks for self-awareness.
-- Don Frederick
Join those receiving every Ticket item -- plus special offline tweets from The Ticket’s writers -- sent directly to your cellphone. To register for free instant Twitter updates from The Ticket, go here to ‘follow’ us.