Former Virginia Governor's Comment On Science At Convention Lights Up Twitter

Reposted from Wired

It didn't ignite the crowd at the Pepsi Center in Denver Tuesday night in the same way as Hillary Clinton's speech did, but the 2008 Democratic National Convention keynoter of former Virginia Governor Mark Warner lit up the micro-blogging service Twitter as its geek community celebrated a throwaway line in Warner's speech.

Warner, a former Capitol Hill staffer for senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) and telecommunications entrepreneur, focused his speech on creating an environment that keeps America competitive in the global economy.

In a one-liner, he quipped: "Just think about this: In four months, we will have an administration that actually believes in science!"

It was as if Warner were acknowledging a constituency that feels as if the Bush administration had thrown a Harry Potter invisible cloak over it for the past eight years. Many members of that online constituency poked their heads out from under the cloak on Twitter.

"In four months, we'll have an administration that actually believes in science. lol, but YEAH!" tweeted kmcg.

"My fav from 2nite: 'Just think about this: in six months we will have an administration that actually believes in science'-Mark Warner; YES!" agreed tujaded.

Those were just two of a slew of comments on Twitter reacting to Warner's remark. Here's a quick summary:


  • jlangenbeck: "Warner's speech was fantastic. We have to fund and tech to save this nation and remain competitive,"

  • epolitics: "Diggin' me some Mark Warner.  Science! (poetry in motion)"

  • dagsalot: "I'm a big fan of former Gov. Mark Warner right now. 'Think, in 4 months, we could have a presidency that believes in science!' It'd be nice!"

  • twitterdoug: "Best line of Warner's speech so far -- In four months we will have an administration that believes in science."


During his talk, Warner also pointed to the importance of broadband rollout, education and job training to keep jobs from migrating to India, referring to his own efforts as governor to revive small towns in Virginia.

"We delivered broadband to the most remote areas of our state, because if you can send a job to Bangalore, India, you can sure as heck send one to Danville, Virginia, and to Flint, Michigan, and to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and to Peoria, Illinois," he said. "In a global economy, you shouldn't have to leave your hometown to find a world-class job."

The Democrats have made broadband rollout part of their party platform, and both Obama and Warner have expressed support for net neutrality.