Mark Warner, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, voiced growing concern Tuesday with his party's electoral strategy, arguing that Democrats' willingness to write off sections of the country could make it nearly impossible to win the White House.
"I got pretty frustrated after 2004," said the former Virginia governor. "We are making a mistake if we put up candidates that are only competitive in 16 states and then we roll the dice and hope we win Ohio or Florida."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Warner insisted he wasn't being critical of 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, whom he called "a very strong candidate." But Warner said Democrats must stop conceding entire regions of the country.
"We do our party and the country a disservice if we're not competitive in the South and the balance of the Midwest," Warner said. "I'm disappointed in campaigns that write off the South and leave behind wide swaths of our country."
Extending beyond bastions
Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean has steered money and staff to all states, contending that the party needs to build its operation in Republican bastions.
Warner spoke after a campaign appearance in Ames, home of Iowa State University and a popular spot for Democratic contenders. To be successful, he said, Democrats must reach beyond bastions such as college towns.
"We've got to have candidates who can campaign not only in Ames, but at NASCAR races, candidates who can campaign in the barrio and changing communities," Warner said. "We've got to have a message that's more focused on solutions than simply focused on criticism."
Warner spoke during a two-day campaign swing in the state where caucuses traditionally launch the presidential nominating process. He has been focusing on his core appeal to Democratic activists who are hungry for a nominee who can win back the White House after two losses to President Bush.
Virginia as an example
In making his case, Warner said he was elected governor in a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, and last year he helped get his Democratic lieutenant governor elected to replace him. In Virginia, a governor can only serve one term.
Warner argued that his success in Virginia came largely because he refused to give up on rural areas that traditionally vote Republican. He's taken the same approach in Iowa, spending Monday in heavily Republican - and very rural - western Iowa.
Warner also cited history, noting the success of Democratic governors Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
"History has been pretty kind to Southern governors over the last 50 years," Warner said.