Former Gov. Mark Warner criticized current U.S. energy strategies and foreign policy and expressed a desire to return to political office during an address to University students yesterday.
Warner said America is currently "at a moment of remarkable change," in which the American people have begun to question the government's foreign policy because it is not aligned with American values.
According to Warner, these values include respect for the law, the importance of human rights and America's reputation as a "place of aspiration."
One theme of Warner's speech was how the energy crisis could unite a country that is currently divided.
He said the current policy of "Let's borrow money from China to buy oil from countries that don't like us" is not effective.
Warner's address capped off a series of lectures in an introductory politics class taught by Prof. Larry Sabato.
Warner, who surprised many with his decision not to seek the Democratic presidential nomination late last year, was the only speaker in the series not currently holding a political office.
"When public officials leave office, a great burden is lifted off their shoulders and they are able to speak more freely," Sabato said. "We saw that today with former Governor Warner."
First-year College student Matt Schrimper agreed.
"Perhaps because he is out of office right now, he was a lot more straight-forward and seemed very candid," Schrimper said.
Warner used his candor to convey a message of appreciation for the American people, noting his belief that the government, specifically President Bush, needs to give Americans a greater opportunity to participate in government.
"My biggest disagreement with our president is that he has never trusted you and me -- our American people -- to ask us to step up and take part of the sacrifice," Warner said.
First-year College student Ted Jordan appreciated this notion.
"Compared to a lot of other speakers we've had, [Mark] Warner has so many concrete ideas that he was willing to share with us," Jordan said. "He respected our intelligence enough to inspire us to act responsibly now and in the future."
According to Warner, government officials need to focus on rebuilding the economy to cement America's status as the premier superpower in the future.
"It's not an American birthright that we're always going to be number one," Warner said. "We need to re-earn that."
Warner said he hopes to contribute to this goal, and although he is not seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, he told the crowd he has the "bug" to re-enter the political arena.
"I've got a lot of energy and a lot of ideas," Warner said. "I am willing to work with anyone -- democrat, republican, independent, libertarian, vegetarian."
Warner has not confirmed which, if any, government positions he may seek in the future, Sabato said, adding "but he will be back in public office in one of [the] major positions."
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