Warner fundraising hints big ambitions

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Virginia Gov. Mark Warner has not officially declared he is running for the presidency -- but he is raising money like he is.

The Democratic governor hosted a gala in Northern Virginia on Tuesday to kick off his Forward Together Political Action Committee, raising $2.5 million from nearly 1,000 attendees who think he can take the White House back for the party.

"This nation can and must do better," he told the crowd.

His high-dollar evening even prompted a liberal blogger to say the governor has the ability to "rake in the bucks" to keep up with better-known Democratic names, like Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat.

"Forget Hillary," wrote blogger Daily Kos, whose real name is Marcos Zuniga. "Warner will be the candidate to beat."

The governor's event -- which had a $5,000 maximum donation -- set a state record, beating the $2.1 million President Bush raised in Virginia for failed Republican gubernatorial nominee Jerry W. Kilgore over the summer.

"Wow," said state Delegate Brian J. Moran, Alexandria Democrat and Warner cheerleader. "Money is an accurate indicator of future success, and Mark did extremely well last night."

The term-limited Mr. Warner, who leaves office Jan. 14 when his Democratic successor, Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, is inaugurated, also raised $1 million at his 50th birthday party last year. He raised about $1.5 million at two fundraisers for Mr. Kaine during the campaign.

"I don't know of a single person who has ever made one penny betting against Mark Warner," Mr. Kaine said.

Mr. Warner, a former telecommunications mogul estimated to be worth more than $200 million, cannot use the money raised for the Forward Together PAC to finance a presidential run. But the millions can be used in political races across the country -- raising the governor's profile in places where he may not be well known now.