The Rappahanock White House?
Reagan had Santa Barbara.
Bush I had Kennebunkport.
Clinton had Martha's Vineyard.
Bush II has Crawford, Texas.
So where would a President Mark Warner vacation?
Welcome to Rappahanock Bend Farm, a 110-acre spread in King George County just at the bend of (can you guess?) the Rappahanock River. It's got a house (white, of course), swimming pool, barn, basketball court and a vineyard.
Warner bought the spread in 1989, long before he was elected governor of Virginia in 2001. Just about every year at this time, he hosts a Pig Roast at the farm and invites a few thousand of his closest friends. He's done it about 15 times.
There's beer, lemonade, barbecue, and lots of Democrats. Visitors park their cars in a huge field, directed by efficient young parking attendants. It might as well be a county festival.
Warner does nothing but stand at the head of a receiving line that snakes around the property, longer than the line for pulled pork. People who have attended more than one say the line seemed longer this time. (Could it be they think he might run for president?)
Warner laughs off suggestions that his farm might one day play host to the national media, camped on the windy, rural road leading to his house.
It's true. Speculation of this sort is more than a bit premature. It might make more sense to try and figure out where Hillary Clinton or John McCain would vacation.
But you just never know.
Editor: Jonathan Forsythe / washingtonpost.com, Reporter: Mike Shear / The Post
By Michael Shear |
September 17, 2005; 8:34 PM ET
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Posted by: John Cue | September 19, 2005 02:44 PM
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Posted by: Will Vehrs is not evil | September 19, 2005 04:53 PM
I was there at the pig roast. Warner was very nice to open his home to everyone like that. I had a good time, and now I feel like he's my governor. Warner and other Democrats who have benefitted so much from this country aren't afraid to take some of their money and make sure we have a sound future in the form of fully funded public schools, better built roads and transportation and other public services. If only Republicans were as giving of themselves this country would be better off for it.
Posted by: Omar | September 19, 2005 06:59 PM
So........ Mark Warner is a guy with lots of money and name recognition, both of which he earned the old-fashioned way: by working hard.
I'm waiting to see what George Allen serves at his gatherings. S'pose there will be any pictures of his Dad around?
Criticizing these guys for working a crowd is a bit like telling a four-year-old not to be excited about the lights twinkling on the Christmas tree or the presents beneath it.
Posted by: Soccer Mom | September 20, 2005 08:16 AM
My invitation must have been lost in the mail or something. :)
Posted by: Brian Patton | September 20, 2005 11:54 AM
Mine, too.
Posted by: Soccer Mom | September 20, 2005 08:27 PM
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Is Warner one of those guys the Democrats always complain about getting "tax cuts for the rich?"