Warner ascends on myth’s wings

A party whose constituency includes rock stars is perhaps bound to conceive them as politicians. Among Democrats so affected is Mark Warner, the former Virginia governor who will deliver the keynote address tonight on Day Two of the Democratic National Convention. Warner is Virginia’s Jonas Brothers and presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama is America’s. But can they govern more skillfully than they sing?
In the case of Warner, we are sure to learn more on this question. In the U.S. Senate race, he holds an insurmountable lead over Republican Jim Gilmore by complementary measures, fundraising and in the polls. Warner will win decisively. This is attributable primarily to two factors, the first, Gilmore’s inefficacy as governor and the second, his lack of appeal on other grounds.
Warner’s supporters, some blinded by his starry glow and others by partisanship, will tell you that his gubernatorial record plays the larger part in his ascendancy. This is true only if one believes myths, as is Democrats’ wont.
With Aesopian propensity, Warner perpetrated these, starting with the campaign promise that he would not raise taxes. In fact, on the campaign trail in 2001, he issued a declaration in triplicate: “I will not raise taxes! I will not raise taxes! I will not raise taxes!” Well, OK then.
Taking cues from Bush the 41st, Warner followed in 2004 by proposing the largest tax increase in state history — $1.1 billion over two years. Senate Republicans led by Finance Committee Chairman John Chichester would not be outdone, and proposed an increase almost four times as large. This led to compromise, principally of conservative principles, and a $1.4 billion increase, signed by Sen. Emmett Hanger among others of the Jell-O-knees set in the GOP.
Tall tales rarely stand on their own, and so Warner told others to support his fibs on taxes. He blamed the increase on Gilmore’s car tax cut, which he said plunged the state into the red. Warner also claimed that he slashed $6 billion in spending but still needed to raise taxes to close the gap. But facts exist, even if they are ignored.
The state ended fiscal year 2004 with a $400-million surplus, and this without benefit of the tax increase. Spending hit a record $26 billion that year and continued to swell until Warner’s departure in January 2006 in favor of kindred spirit Timothy M. Kaine, who has extended the spending trends. Neither a deficit nor spending cuts drove Warner’s tax increase. His is the heart of a quintessential tax-and-spender.
Now he seeks entry into the Senate on the wings of another fable. Warner wants to increase by five times spending on research into renewable energy. This accords with the falsehood peddled by the Democratic Party, that renewables can replace fossil fuels within 10 years. Science and reason demonstrate that such is not possible, even fueled by $10 billion in annual research.
Virginians consumed Warner’s dross once, and still must pay. He soon will be called upon to represent the Old Dominion again. Republicans are to blame for failing to offer a compelling alternative. They have fed the rock star myth of Mark Warner. That will be on stage tonight. So, too, we suspect, will be more untruths. In the case of Warner, hearing is disbelieving.