Mark Warner wins by historic margin. How did he do it?

The only thing that was surprising about Mark Warner’s victory Tuesday night was the margin. He won by 29 points. That is a historic total, one that even Warner didn’t anticipate.

How did he do it? In part, with a lot of support from Republicans.

The election map shows that clearly. Warner won almost every county and city and did carry EVERY congressional district, even the most Republican. Compare his election map to Obama’s. Yes, Obama won Virginia. But, he only carried the major population areas and the college towns. His map is much redder.

Warner credits the large margin of victory in part to his support in Southwest and rural Virginia.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Warner said, “I’m particularly grateful for the support we got in Shenandoah Valley and Southside, places that took a chance on me for governor back in 2001 and hope folks see that I didn’t forget the rural parts of the state.“

But there is more to it. Warner had a spending advantage that was well over 20 to 1. In August, his opponent, Republican Jim Gilmore, told me, “The question now is can we overcome all this wealth. I’m not sure.“

It turns out that doubt was well placed. He didn’t come close to overcoming Warner’s financial advantage. As a result, Warner, who campaigned as if he was five points down in the polls, owned the airwaves and was able to drive his message for the future. His constant assault on Gilmore’s record as governor went unchallenged.

Warner’s game plan worked in grand fashion.

In the end, Jim Gilmore, a former governor, Virginia attorney general, chair of the Republican National Committee, and presidential candidate, when down in what could only be called a good, old fashioned thumpin’.