Mark Warner for U.S. Senate

Mark Warner  has a habit of running for office at moments when public service is remarkably unappealing.

Seven years ago, he was elected governor in the aftermath of the9/11 terrorist attacks that shut down a major Virginia airport and rattled the state's economy. This fall, he is seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate as the country is buffeted by a global financial crisis and attempting to extricate itself from a war it started without clear-cut goals or a rudimentary grasp of the consequences.

Almost overnight, the nation's self-assurance and prosperity have melted into a pool of confusion and dread. There are no easy or certain solutions to such challenges.

Fortunately, there is one decision we can make with confidence. We recommend Warner for senator.

Our confidence is based on then-Gov. Warner's sure-footed reaction to Virginia's own recession in 2002.

His leadership style, professional background and political experience are especially well-suited for a time of crisis. As a former venture capitalist, he understands the financial riddles that must be solved to salvage the economy.

As a governor, he was forced to make difficult budget cuts to cope with an inherited recession. He will not flinch in Washington.

He attends to the details of a problem without losing his focus on long-term solutions and the opportunities they can generate. His energy proposal, for example, advocates a combination of oil exploration, nuclear expansion and alternative energy incentives that can position the United States to take the lead in the next economic resurgence.

He is the natural successor to John Warner, a Republican whose talent for consensus-building has served Virginia well. Mark Warner is a Democrat, but he shares the elder Warner's contempt for partisan talking points and petty finger-wagging.

Despite his independent streak, Warner is at times cautious to a fault, particularly on foreign policy, where he has little experience. He is hesitant to endorse even loose deadlines for troop withdrawal in Iraq, though Americans rightly demand that their leaders demonstrate an urgent commitment to ending this bloody, costly conflict.

Warner's opponent, Republican Jim Gilmore, gets too little credit for his accomplishments.

Virginia Beach is indebted to him for his support in the city's fight with North Carolina over the Lake Gaston pipeline, a project critical to the region's growth. Gilmore added 4,000 teachers to classrooms across Virginia and dedicated revenues from a state settlement with tobacco companies to the rural communities in Southside and Southwest, giving them hope and the financial foundation to rebuild their economies.

Most Virginians remember just one Gilmore legacy: He cut the car tax. The program was remarkable for its overwhelming public enthusiasm and bipartisan support.

Alas, Gilmore's political instincts outpaced his budgetary and interpersonal skills.

Instead of leveling with Virginians, he underestimated the cost and used a series of gimmicks to keep the program going when the economy soured.

He lashed out with anger and contempt when his fellow Republicans began urging caution.

Gilmore is a partisan warrior of the first order, and he is happiest when he is locked in combat. In contrast, Warner is a deal-maker who favors the collegial center.

With Congress already saturated with partisanship, what Washington needs most are leaders with bipartisan bona fides.

Mark Warner brings new ideas and a commitment to good government in times of prosperity and privation. He earned our respect as governor, and he has earned our endorsement for senator.