Former Gov. Mark Warner announced yesterday in a news conference that he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.
Warner said he wanted to be able to put his family ahead of his political career.
"While politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge, at this point I want to have a real life," Warner said at the conference. "I shouldn't move forward unless I'm willing to put everything in my life on the back burner."
Warner also said he is not ruling out seeking other political offices in the future but did not elaborate on which offices he would consider.
Gov. Tim Kaine released a statement in which he expressed support for his former boss and fellow Harvard law school graduate.
"I was proud to work with Mark to produce results for Virginia, and while I looked forward to campaigning on his behalf across the nation, I respect his decision today," Kaine said in the statement. "Our country is better for his willingness to engage in the public square, and I look forward to supporting Mark without hesitation in whatever decisions he ultimately makes about his future in public service."
College Republicans Chair Amber VerValin said she is pleased that Warner is not running because she does not agree with his political views.
"In Virginia we got to see him up close and see he pushed through the biggest tax increase in Virginia history and we're glad he's not running for president," VerValin said.
University Democrats President Katie Cristol said she does not think Warner's announcement will encourage or discourage others from running in the 2008 presidential race but does think "the country is losing out on a man who could have been a tremendous president."
Cristol added that she does not think this is the end of Warner's political career.
Politics Prof. Paul Freedman echoed that sentiment, adding that Warner could still be a player in the 2008 election.
"The vice president slot is an important one and I think he'll be a contender for that," Freedman said.
Freedman added that Warner's decision opens the field up for 2008 and "creates an opportunity for somebody to step into the position of the Hillary alternative."
According to Freedman, Warner's announcement also opens up the field for someone to play the role of the Southerner in the 2008 election.
"Clearly the beneficiary is John Edwards but it may be that there are other people we are going to see come out and stick toes into the exploratory water," Freedman said.
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