Days after Virginia's Republican senator John Warner announced that he will not seek re-election in 2008, politicians reflected on Warner's unique contribution to national politics and are already speculating as to who will fill the vacant seat next term.
Warner, 80, announced his decision Friday on the steps of the Rotunda, and said although he has had "a magnificent and very rewarding career," he has chosen to step aside rather than seek a sixth term.
Warner justified his decision by quoting Thomas Jefferson:
"There is a fullness of time when men should go and not occupy too long the ground to which others have the right to advance," Warner said.
Sen. Warner won the seat in 1978, after graduating from law school at the University in 1953 and serving in the armed forces. Warner credited his time at the University and service in the armed forces as laying the foundation for his future as a senator and as being a period that "forged my character and taught me a sense of value that I have carried all my life."
Warner's 30 years in the U.S. Senate is the second-longest term in the Commonwealth's history, and, according to Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, he leaves behind a long legacy of independence.
"Warner is a very significant senator," Sabato said, adding that Warner "said it today -- You're not just a senator for your party ... you're a senator for the United States."
Although most Americans identify themselves as moderates, there are only 16 moderate senators, according to Sabato.
"Moderates are dramatically underrepresented in the Senate, and they just lost another senator," Sabato added.
Speaking to Warner's legacy for independent policy, former Gov. Mark Warner issued a statement in which he said, "John Warner always puts the Commonwealth and country before party and partisanship. And during my time as governor, he and I were able to work across party lines."
Gov. Tim Kaine also issued a statement praising John Warner's work for the Commonwealth.
"Senator Warner is a good friend, a great Virginian and a true statesman," Kaine stated. "He has been a strong and reliable partner to my administration, and all Virginians should honor his distinguished leadership for our Commonwealth and nation."
Democratic Virginia Sen. Jim Webb applauded John Warner's bipartisan attitude.
"At a time when our political climate is as partisan and divisive as ever, John Warner embodies bipartisanship, courtesy and generosity," Webb said in a statement. "He is the quintessential Virginia gentleman."
Furthermore, as a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War and former secretary of the Navy, Warner provided an authoritative voice on the Armed Services Committee.
"John Warner's decision to retire from the Senate will cause this body to lose one of the great voices on behalf of our men and women in uniform," Webb said.
Warner also served as a key architect of Congress' mandate for the Bush Administration to provide an interim report by Sept. 15 of the progress made in Iraq.
Warner dismissed recent claims that his call to begin the withdrawal of some troops from Iraq by Christmas was purely political, stating that his retirement proved his stance was not politically motivated. Rather, he said his position signalled the Iraqi government that America's commitment of troops is not without limit.
Warner said the experience he could offer to the future president was the primary reason to stay in office; however, his first obligation was to the people of Virginia, he said, Looking forward, he said somebody with "experience" would need to succeed him.
The vacant seat caused by Warner's departure is speculated to be contested by several figures in Virginia politics. Rep. Thomas M. Davis, III and former Gov. James S. Gilmore, III, both Republicans, and former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, are considered to be among the potential contenders.
Sabato predicted Mark Warner's potential candidacy would determine which party wins the sea.
"Mark Warner can spend almost unlimited amounts of money." Sabato said, adding that this could pose a problem for Republican retention of the seat. Sabato speculated, however, that Republicans could hold the seat if Mark Warner does not run.
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