Mark Warner visits JMU

Yesterday afternoon,former Governor Mark Warner made a campaign stop at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Warner is currently in the Valley for his Hometown Days Tour. Over 100 students showed up for the event even though it was only confirmed a few days before. When the event was scheduled to start, at 3:45, there were too many students for the room reserved, and thus all were moved to a much larger space.

Warner made a speech in which he emphasized the need for America to be energy independent ("green is the new red, white and blue") and his hope to start a coalition of "radical centrists" in the U.S. Senate. Warner opened up the floor to questions and many students were given the opportunity to express concerns and ask Governor Warner his plans. Students asked Warner his stance on the Dream Act, Health Care, Education (No Child Left Behind/SOLs), a Cap and Trade system, coal as an energy source and the economic recession.

It was refreshing to hear a politician that did not just appeal to one side or the other. I had many friends who attended who are moderates or conservatives and they appreciated how Governor Warner approaches issues from a business/executive standpoint and plans to not be "one more tally for the Democratic party in the Senate." We as Young Democrats can be proud to call Mark Warner our former Governor and can look forward to next January when we can call him Senator.