From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Draft Mark Warner movement
Draft Mark Warner movement
campaign, and became the Southern Regional Director
for Draft Mark Warner committee. Hartman, a partner
at LegalZoom, worked on efforts in Southern California.
Delegate Onzlee Ware, of the Virginia House of Delegates
and PR professional Mike Smith served as the Official
DMW Spokespersons.
After the election of Governor Tim Kaine in Novem-
ber 2005, the committee had activity in dozens of states,
conducting events nationwide. On March 9th, 2006 the
Draft Mark Warner filed papers with the Federal Elec-
tions Commission and officially became the Draft Mark
Warner for President PAC. Terry Frye, the Bristol, Vir-
ginia Commissioner of Revenue serves as the PAC’s Trea-
surer along with Virginia Democratic Activist Joan Baker
Washburn as the Assistant Treasurer.
Draft Mark Warner started its on-the-ground oper-
ations at the West Virginia Democratic Party Jefferson-
Jackson Dinner on April 27th, 2005. Since that time, the
group has organized dozens of events nationwide publi-
cizing the candidacy of Governor Warner and helping to
up his name recognition.
Mark Warner (D-VA)
The Draft Mark Warner for President committee was
an effort to promote the candidacy of former Governor
of Virginia Mark Warner. It was founded the day after
the 2004 presidential election by Democratic Party ac-
tivist Eddie Ratliff of Virginia. On October 23, 2007, the
Draft Warner for President Committee received a letter
from the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) in response
to the committee’s declaration of intent to cease opera-
tions, dated October 2, 2007, and was allowed to termi-
nate its affairs and cease filing with the FEC. Warner had
A map of the groups early initial activities charts its progress
announced his intent to become a Senate candidate prior
as it started to gain momentum. Blue indicates states (15)
to the committee’s letter to the FEC.
where Draft Mark Warner had already attended a national,
statewide, or regional event. Gray indicates states (4) where the
History group was committed to attend other functions in the near fu-
ture
Ratliff created the 2004 Virginia for Wesley Clark net-
work and was a lead organizer for Clark’s Virginia ballot When Gov. Warner announced his decision to not run
initiative. Clark was the last to enter the democratic pri- in ’08, the Draft committee had state & congressional di-
mary in Virginia and the first on the ballot. Soon after rectors in 39 states, along with affiliated groups such as
the website, http://www.draftmarkwarner.com was cre- Young Americans for Warner, Veterans for Warner, and
ated, Ratliff was joined by Steve Deak and Eddie Hartman Americans Abroad for Warner,
who were also initial Co-Founders of the draft move- After becoming a political action committee, Draft
ment. Steve Deak was a Loudoun County Democratic Par- Mark Warner raised the funds necessary to conduct
ty Chair and County Coordinator for Gov. Warner’s 2001 events nationwide, attending such events as the National
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Draft Mark Warner movement
Young Democrats Convention, the National Federation New Jersey Democratic Activist Marshall Spevak
of Democratic Women Convention, the National College serves as National Chairman of YAFW, and is also the
Democrats Convention, the first Yearly KOS Convention founder.
(Las Vegas), and many others.
The PAC started its fundraising campaign in Virginia,
by gaining the endorsements of key business and legisla-
Governor Warner’s Decision
tive leaders to serve as Honorary Chairs in each region of When Governor Warner decided against seeking the De-
the Commonwealth. These key officials lent credibility to mocratic nomination for President, Draft Mark Warner
the PACs goals and were instrumental in hosting events, and Young Americans for Warner kept the PAC active un-
raising money, making news, and promoting Gov. Warn- til October 2007, while Gov. Warner pondered his politi-
er’s run for the White House. cal future.
Former State Senator Madison Mayre served as After Gov. Warner announced his U.S. Senate run,
Honorary Chairman of the Draft in Southwest Virginia. on the eve of the January ’08 Iowa caususes, the leader-
Northern Virginia Honorary Chairs included Delegate ship of the Draft group issued a press release endorsing
Brian Moran (46th District), State Senator Richard S, the presidential candidacy of U.S. Senator Barack Obama.
Saslaw (35th District), and State Senator Mary Margaret Former key Draft Warner organizers from more than a
Whipple (Chair of the Senate Democratic Causus). Rich- dozen states began to work to elect Senator Obama.
mond businessman and former Delegate R.S. (Major) Draft Mark Warner co-founders Eddie Ratliff and
Reynolds III, State Senator Henry Marsh III, and Delegate Steve Deak, are profiled in author David Meerman Scott’s
Frank Hall were named Honorary Co-Chairs of the July ’07 book "The New Rules of PR & Marketing." Scott
greater Richmond Area. Delegate David E. Poisson served previously profiled Matthew Gross (who headed internet
in Central Virginia. operations for Howard Dean’s 2004 campaign) in his book
"Cashing in with Content."
Young Americans for Warner
Young Americans for Mark Warner, was established in
See also
February 2006, in affiliation with Draft Mark Warner. • Draft (politics)
YAFW kicked off their movement in March 2006 at the • Draft Bloomberg movement
North Carolina Young Democrats State Convention, and • Draft Condi movement
have been working events like the Young Democrats
Conventions, College Democrat Conventions, and other
local and statewide Young Democrats events. YAFW cur-
External links
rently has Coordinators in several states and the move- • Draft Mark Warner for President
ment is growing rapidly. They are also in the process of • Young Americans for Warner
creating a website http://www.yafw.com which will be • Draft Mark Warner Blog
online soon.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft_Mark_Warner_movement&oldid=466790395"
Categories:
• Campaigns in the United States presidential election, 2008
• Democratic Party (United States) organizations
• United States political action committees
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