Addressing a supportive crowd of University students and community members at an Alumni Hall campaign rally yesterday, Mark R. Warner, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, detailed his broad plan to improve the state's quality of life, which includes advancing education at all levels.
"Our public colleges and universities in Virginia are perhaps our greatest asset," Warner said at the event sponsored by the University Democrats. "These institutions create the intellectual capital that will drive the economy. We need a governor who will be a champion for higher education, and I'll be that governor."
Warner spoke only briefly about higher education, however, and instead focused primarily in his 30-minute speech on his ideas for developing the state's programs in vocational and technical training and its community colleges. Warner wants community colleges to take on a larger role in retraining sections of Virginia's workforce.
"The idea of vocational training is an excellent idea," first-year Law student Jonathan Altschul said. "Too many people, I think, go to four-year colleges and get nothing out of it. They should at least acquire real-world skills."
Warner said he advocates a federal program to cover children's medical care so they will be healthy enough to attend school. He also wants to reduce classroom sizes to improve student performance, hold schools accountable for education, raise teachers' salaries to the national average and involve parents in the learning process.
Warner also addressed last week's terrorist attacks, saying that he has never been prouder to be an American.
"We realized in that moment and days afterwards, that we're not simply Virginians or New Yorkers, not Republicans or Democrats, but most importantly, and first and foremost, we are primarily all American," Warner said.
Warner's visit brought out both Democrats and Republicans wanting to hear his gubernatorial agenda, which includes restoring conservative fiscal management, investing in public security and improving the state's transportation system.
"I'm here because I am a registered voter in Virginia," former College Republicans Chairman Josh Abrons said. "I feel I have a responsibility to hear from the various candidates, especially from a man who wants to be governor. Our political leadership in Virginia will effect us in many ways, even if we don't live in Virginia.
"If you're out-of-state, it will effect funding for the University ... and other issues we'll be dealing with. University students should be interested. If they're not, I think it's very unfortunate."
In the latest polls, Warner leads Republican candidate and current Lt. Gov. Mark L. Earley by a substansial margin. Warner also challenged incumbent Sen. John Warner (R) in his 1996 re-election bid.
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