John Warner may not vote for Jim Gilmore

Sen. John Warner has built a reputation as something of a maverick, ready to buck his party when he sees fit. It appears that he may be ready to do that again, this time to Jim Gilmore.

Warner’s infuriated conservatives when he voted against Robert Bork’s nomination to the US Supreme Court.

He did it again in 1994 when he refused to endorse Republican Oliver North for the US Senate. Warner’s move ultimately helped Sen. Chuck Robb, a Democrat, win re-election by a narrow margin.

This time, Warner is refusing to publicly endorse Gilmore, who is running to replace Warner in the Senate.

Last Saturday, Warner conducted a conference call with Virginia reporters to support John McCain’s presidential campaign. During the call he was asked who he was supporting in the Senate race.

The website politico.com printed Warner’s answer. He said, “I’m watching that race, following the positions of the two candidates. There have been occasions when I have supported Democratic candidates. I’m not there yet.”

According to the politico, Warner was asked again about his comments and he said, “I told you very carefully: I’m watching that race, following the positions of the two candidates. I just commented: I have differing opinions in what Gilmore expressed on the rescue package. But, that did not in any way indicate a lifelong support of Republican candidates in the state. There have been occasions when I have supported Democratic candidates – you know that well. But I’m not there yet.”

WSLS asked Gilmore about Warner’s lack of public support during an interview in August.

WARREN: “JOHN WARNER HAS YET TO ENDORSE YOU PUBLICLY. I KNOW HE HAS GIVEN YOU MONEY, BUT DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO ENDORSE YOU?”

GILMORE: “I am very grateful for the support he has given me. He has given substantial money to my campaign and shown up to a number of events. I am very grateful for the support he has given me. But, my goal here is to run my own race. The people of Virginia want to know that they are going to have someone who is independent, who is willing to work for the best interest of the public and it’s my obligation to do that not rely upon the endorsement of anyone.”

WARREN: “BUT HIS STAMP OF APPROVAL COULD HELP SELL WITH SOME REPUBLICANS AND BRING YOU SOME MORE VOTES, RIGHT?”

GILMORE: “And, I’m grateful for the support he has given me.”

Complicating matters for Senator Warner could be his close relationship to Gilmore’s opponent, former Governor Mark Warner, who is not related to John Warner.

Senator Warner supported many of Mark Warner’s proposals while he was governor, including the regional transportation referendums and Warner’s tax reform plan.

The two Warners ran against each other in 1996. It proved to be one of Senator Warner’s closest elections. He won by 6 points.