Warner calls for change while stumping in Norfolk

Former Gov. Mark Warner cranked up his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday before exuberant crowds in Norfolk and across the state, calling for a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq, energy independence and bipartisan cooperation in Washington.

The Democrat barnstormed in Virginia's four largest population centers amid brass bands, high-profile endorsements and only cursory clues about how he plans to accomplish his lofty policy goals.

"If there ever was a time to bring fresh thinking and Virginia-style politics to Washington, it is now," Warner said during a noon rally in downtown Norfolk in front of the battleship Wisconsin. About 350 people showed up.

Warner, who was governor from 2002 to 2006, is unopposed for the Democratic Senate nomination. Two Republicans are vying for their party's banner: former Gov. Jim Gilmore, who preceded Warner in office, and Del. Bob Marshall of Prince William County. Republicans will decide the nomination at a state convention in Richmond on May 31.

At each stop, Warner delivered the same speech. Although he never mentioned Gilmore by name, he took several thinly veiled shots at his predecessor. He criticized Gilmore for management of the state's finances that forced Warner to make $6 billion in spending adjustments to balance the state budget during the economically flat years of 2002 and 2003.

Gilmore says the criticism is a ruse to justify Warner's successful shepherding of a $1.4 billion tax increase through the General Assembly in 2004.

Gilmore has strongly attacked Warner's credibility, noting that the Democrat promised repeatedly not to raise taxes when he ran for governor in 2001.

"Mark Warner created the budget deficit to justify breaking his word to the people of Virginia," Gilmore said in a written statement on Monday. "Now he pats himself on the back for fixing a mess he created."

Warner made a qualified call for reducing American troop deployment in Iraq.

"We cannot set a timeline or leave Iraq a haven for terrorists, but an open-ended commitment does not move us closer to resolution."

Warner also lamented the high price of gas and called on the United States to become energy independent through conservation and the development of clean alternative fuels. In an interview, he voiced reservations about drilling for new domestic oil supplies.

Warner, a multimillionaire investor, said he would support raising taxes on individuals who earn more than $250,000 or $300,0000 a year.

Warner has an early lead in polls and a $4.4 million campaign war chest - 20 times the size of Gilmore's.

Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com