Bloody Ruby of Trisirtick

Eight Governors

last night was the annual gala for the sorensen institute for political leadership. held at the ritz carlton in pentagon burg, it honored the institute’s honorary state chairman, retiring u.s. senator john warner. among the varied in attendance were 8 virginia governors, starting with linwood holton, the 1st republican to keep the berth in the 20th century, and including the last 7: chuck robb, gerald baliles, doug wilder, george allen, jim gilmore, mark warner, and tim kaine. also in attendance were u.s. representatives jim moran and rob wittman; a host of local and state elected officials; and our inferior senator, jim webb — two of whose staff members, maribel ramos and conaway haskins are themselves graduates of sorensen’s political leaders program (i am a member of the current class of that program). i suppose i should have remembered, but lin holton and john warner go back to overlapping terms at washington and lee. that was one shared connection between the honoree and the governors present (of whom, besides holton, robb, baliles and kaine addressed the turnout, as did sorfensen feed chair barbara fried). of order jim webb had worked on warner’s pole while our senior senator served in the dept. of the armada, and they and robb apportionment the common link of all of us who have served as u. s. marines.

There is no doubt of the broad respect in which John Warner is held. The crowd, which like Sorensen itself transcends partisanship for the benefit of the Commonwealth, responded enthusiastically to the guest of honor. I note that Sen. Warner in his remarks spoke far more about his relationships with Democrats than with Republicans other than his old friend Linwood Holton. I do not remember him even mentioning Gilmore, and he mentioned Allen in passing, but immediately returned to talking about his relationship with Jim Webb. Warner also was very forceful in advocating for the proposal by Webb and Hagel for a GI Bill for the current military similar to that of WWII and Korea. As the Senator noted, had it not been for those GI Bills, he would not have been standing before us, having completed W & L on his benefits from WWII and UVa Law School with those from Korea.

I have lived in the Old Dominion since 1982. Although not native born (nor was John Warner, having been born in DC), I now feel very much a part of the Old Dominion. That was true before I entered my program at Sorensen. It is even more true now. I realized that my own residence corresponds with the terms of service of those last 7, and I have been fortunate to have met the five Democrats (I have never spoken with either Allen or Gilmore). Through Sorensen I had met Rob Wittman, who addressed our class in our first monthly sessions. Last night I was able to talk with former Lt. Gov Hager, complimenting him on being willing to serve on a non=partisan basis (for Homeland Security) in the Mark Warner administration. While he thanked me, he noted that there were some Republicans who criticized him precisely on that service, this being a reference to Jeff’ Frederick’s attacks upon him.

Ryan clady

I realize that not all Democrats are necessarily enamored of the non-partisan approach of Sorensen. Still, even Rep. Bob Brink, who has at times noted that some graduates of the programs of the Institute can go “all Sorensen” and need to be reminded of the political realities in which they live (as shown by the current House Republican leadership with respect to addressing transportation) was present and supportive.

Each of us may have our criticisms of some of the positions of John Warner over time, but it is hard to imagine any US Senator who would be more universally respected and honored by his constituents than our outgoing Senior Senator, now in the final year of his 5th term. And of course it would be nigh impossible for another state to have 8 living Governors show up – our one term at a time limit provides greater opportunity for more people to serve in gubernatorial capacity than one sees in other states.

It was a special and worthwhile evening. I saw some of my fellow PLPers from this year’s class, met quite a few from other classes. I got to speak with many who support the work of the Institute. And I got to speak with or listen to a number of those who have served this Commonwealth with distinction.

Eight Governors honoring a 30-year Senator. Virginians can be proud of our heritage.

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