Yes, you heard that correct. The wealthiest U.S. senator in America, who is worth nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, is explaining to people that capitalism, what he made his fortune on, does not work.
Quite ironic, right?
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) made his money as a cell phone franchise broker in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was also founder and managing director of the venture capital firm Columbia Capital, which was an early investor in a myriad of technology companies, including Nextel. Then, he co-founded Capital Cellular Corporation, building his net worth even further. In 2014, some sources say he had an estimated wealth of around $257 million, making him the wealthiest member of the Senate.
Sounds like a great career for someone who took principles of capitalism and made a fortune. Great for him, however, running on a resistance narrative, he is now criticizing the system that help him become a very rich man.
Nevertheless, while campaigning for Democratic candidate Leslie Cockburn in Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District in the run-up to Election Day, Warner told a crowd of supporters that free enterprise in this day in age just isn’t working.
In the video published by RNC Research, Warner remarked, “I was blessed to do really well in business.” He added, “I believe in the free enterprise but I don’t believe modern American capitalism is working for enough people.”
“I think we ought to realize that the economy that we grew up in isn’t going to take place in 2017, 2018, 2019,” Warner said.
As everyone let’s that sink in, remember that this former governor of Virginia and current U.S. senator is up for re-election in 2020.
As someone who is adamantly against conservative principles regarding firearms and supports banning assault-style weapons, is planning to reconfigure the balance of power governing the Internet and online innovation, was fervently against the confirmation of Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, among other things, denouncing capitalism only adds to the list of why Warner should and could be beaten by a Republican in 2020.