Tim Kaine, the current governor of Virginia is very, very far from "bland". He is a intellectual heavyweight with immense charm and a very apparent soul. His gubenatorial victory was the result of his attributes combined with the unnecessarily nasty negative campaign waged by his opponent that backfired. Mark Warner's support didn't hurt, he is beloved in Virginia -- but Tim Kaine won his election.
In any case -- Mark Warner can win any race he wants to win.