Democratic candidate for senate stumps in county

By JIM TALBERT\Staff
TAZEWELL – Mark Warner might have been hobbling but he wasn’t moving slow during a campaign stop here Aug. 4.
The former Virginia Governor said he played basketball with three 19-year-olds last weekend and the experience left him hobbling as he started a week of campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Warner.
It didn’t stop him from pressing the flesh at restaurants, law offices and other businesses along Main Street. Nor did it stop him from laying out an aggressive agenda during a speech at the American Legion Building.
“My definition of fiscal conservatism is paying your bills and taking responsibility for your actions,’ he said. Warner, who made a fortune in the cell phone and computer business before getting into politics, said the future growth in jobs in America will be in energy rather than technology.
He called for a bipartisan effort to find a solution to the energy crisis and said all avenues should be explored. “The solution is not just in drilling nor is it just in wind or solar power, we must explore all options,’ he said.
He said America should not be spending $600 million on oil from countries that are anti American. He said he would propose a $5,000 tax credit to Americans who buy electric cars and also said those cars should be made in America.
He said strength could be restored to the dollar and give Americans more buying power if the government would get its financial house in order. 
He said it is time for the federal government to re-invest in the country’s infrastructure. He said the highways and railroads need improving and every home in America needs access to high speed internet.
He said it is time for America to tell the government of Iraq to take more responsibility for its own country. Warner vowed to work with members of both parties to find solutions to problems.
He said the American people were looking for answers and politicians underestimated their resolve and character. Warner said the people of southwest Virginia were good to him during his previous races and his time as Governor.
He said bringing 700 high tech jobs to Russell County was one of his biggest accomplishments. He said the same thing could be done in Tazewell, Buchanan or any other county in the state.
The Tazewell stop was one of the first on a southwest swing that will take Warner to Castlewood to meet with the UMWA Compac and into several other counties in the area.