The Valley Observer

Despite a brief threat of rain, hundreds of people gathered outside the Rockingham County Courthouse in Harrisonburg Tuesday evening as Democrat and former Governor Mark Warner pitched his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Warner’s visit marked the fourth stop of the day on a three-day campaign launch. In all, he’ll visit 11 cities across the Commonwealth, hoping to raise support above his Republican challengers, Jim Gilmore and Bob Marshall.

Mark Warner greets the audience before speaking in downtown Harrisonburg.

After reflecting on positive accomplishments while he was governor between 2002 and 2006 – which included the creation of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, replenishment of the Rainy Day Fund and working to improve the budget deficit – he laid out his platform for the future, including his stance on the Iraq War.

“It’s time to start bringing our troops home,” he said, adding that a timeline cannot be set, but more must be done than an “open-ended commitment.”

By breaking America’s dependence on foreign oil, he said, more clean-energy jobs could be created in Virginia.

America consumes about 25 percent of the world’s oil, he said, and only produces about two percent. He expressed interest in natural gas, saying that it does not have the damaging effects on the environment that other fuels do.

Through investments in education, Warner said America’s competitiveness in the global economy can be improved. He also said he wants to reduce health care costs and improve the nation’s infrastructure.

Among others, he was introduced by Sheriff Don Farley, who said that although he is an Independent, he knows the merits of Warner’s work and stands behind him.

After Warner’s address, the audience was invited to a more casual reception at Clementine, the former site of Main Street Bar & Grill.

“This is the right man for the job, but it’s our job to get him there,” said Lowell Fulk of Rockingham County.

Warner’s campaign is aimed at winning the seat of 81-year-old Republican Sen. John Warner (no relation), who has served five consecutive terms. John Warner announced in August that he will not seek re-election.

Before departing, Mark Warner chats with JMU President Linwood Rose and his wife, Judith.