Honoring a true leader

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: April 30, 2008

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again:

Sen. John Warner is, as Chuck Robb described him, a “true Virginia gentleman.”

We reject the pessimistic idea that his is a disappearing breed, but truth be told there are few leaders left of his stature and strength.

And few, too, with his longevity.

Mr. Warner was honored recently by the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership in an event that brought together all eight living Virginia governors. Mr. Warner is retiring this year after three decades in the U.S. Senate.

A centrist Republican, he was elected at a time when moderates were more highly valued than they are today. He built a reputation as a conscientious legislator, an honorable man and true friend to Virginia, and that standing — plus his position as an effective incumbent — helped him repeatedly win re-election despite changing political winds.

Honoring him at last week’s event were Virginia leaders from both sides of the aisle, and who had warm things to say about the retiring senator.

Sprinkled among the ex-governors were some ex-senators (sometimes one and the same), some would-be senators (who are also ex-governors) and Virginia’s current senators.

In addition to Mr. Warner and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Arlington, attendees included: former Gov. and former Sen. Charles S. Robb; former Gov. and former Sen. George Allen; former Gov. and current U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Warner, a Democrat; former Gov. and current Senate hopeful Jim Gilmore, his GOP opposite number; former Gov. and Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder Jr.; former Gov. Gerald L. Baliles; former Gov. Linwood Holton, who is father to the current first lady of Virginia, Mr. Holton’s son-in-law, Gov. Tim Kaine.

It was an illustrious turnout. And Mr. Warner is probably one of the few politicians for whom such a group would gather in an evening of comity.

Virginians must hope that we have not seen the end of an era with the retirement of a man who can be both a politician and a gentleman.

We must hope that we can revive the conditions that permit this type of public service.

That will require a return to civility, among other virtues, on the part of the political class. It will require a measure of trust from the voters — but then, of course, high caliber in office generates public trust.

Virginia once was known and revered for the exceptional quality of its leaders.

We have not totally abandoned that standard — but we are in danger of losing it.

Sen. Warner has upheld the standard.