NORFOLK
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner said Monday he's keeping an open mind on the Navy's search for an outlying landing field for Oceana Naval Air Station.
"I think the OLF is critical to maintaining the mission at Oceana," Warner said during an interview with The Virginian-Pilot's editorial board.
He said the Navy's process of selecting a site to practice nighttime aircraft carrier landings should continue. If the Navy can make a good case for one of three sites under consideration in southeastern Virginia, Warner said he would push for construction despite local opposition.
"I would be willing to support it and make the case to the local community," he said.
Warner said he would "not rule out" the use of government condemnation powers to seize land for the air field. "But that should only be a last resort," he added.
Besides the Virginia sites, the Navy is considering locations in northeastern North Carolina.
Warner indicated that before supporting a site chosen in Virginia, he would talk to local residents and seek their reasons for opposing the field. But he said he would not be afraid to buck local sentiment.
"Trying to use whatever political capital I have to advocate for what may or may not be politically popular, I think I've proven my stripes on that," said Warner, who was governor from 2002 to 2006.
Warner is running against Republican Jim Gilmore, who was governor from 1998 to 2002. They are seeking the Senate seat held since 1979 by Republican John Warner - no relation to Mark Warner. John Warner chose not to seek re-election.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Warner reiterated calls for a comprehensive energy policy that stresses development of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles. He faulted Gilmore for stressing new domestic drilling offshore and in Alaska, saying such actions will not alleviate demand for oil and natural gas.
He pledged to pursue centrist policies and not be beholden to partisan politics in the Senate. "The value of that is that it really sends the message that you're acting in the country's interests and not the party's interest," he said.
Warner said he is anxious to withdraw troops from Iraq but declined to endorse the 16-month timeline being proposed by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. He called for improved health benefits for veterans but offered no details on the cost of such a program.
He also urged a national program to improve roads and rail and lay broadband lines for computer access. He acknowledged he has not figured out how to pay for infrastructure improvements.
Warner said the federal government must curb spending and the only way to do that is to stem the growth in entitlement programs such as health care.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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He's a Democrat?
Warner said "the federal government must curb spending and the only way to do that is to stem the growth in entitlement programs such as health care." Wow. That can't be sitting well with Obama, Reed, and Pelosi ilk. OLF doesn't seem to be a party line issue either. Those living under the Superhornets wonder why the Navy doesn't train smarter, those not living under the Superhornets wonder why anyone could possibly be bothered by the noise so they must be communist, terrorist-supporting, anti-military, left-wing, NIMBY whiners. The answer is not another OLF, it's fixing their flight patterns. Spend some of the money saved by cancelling the new destroyer and train like it's 2008, not 1958.
If you've been living w/
If you've been living w/ Oceana in your backyard for 30 years, you have chosen to remain there knowing Oceana is there. The Navy did NOT protect the neighborhoods that were there first. But staying 30 years and then telling others its their time to step up? I don't think so.
I am .....
a real "Unionman" and a veteran. Oceana is, literally, in my back yard. I've been doing my duty for over thirty years now, so I think it is time for you "lapel flag" patriots to "Get Some!"
But
Virginia is his backyard. Considering the amount of sites on the list that are in Virginia this could hurt him politically. He also made statements about reducing goverment benefits. How can this bother even the most conservative of republicans? What ever happened to the parties agenda of fiscal responsibility?
What a joke. . .
I would not vote for anyone supporting an OLF, as it's nothing but a "band-aid." BRAC already spoke saying . . ."the future of aviation is NOT Oceana. . ." Additionally, why spend all this money looking for, validating (environmental impact studies), and pushing for an OLF when the F35 (JSF) will be out in probably three years, and will NOT be stationed at Oceana? It will then not me a MJB, so why not be proactive and relocate the jets now? If Navy brass was "proactive" in the '70s and bought up everything in a 5 mile radius, they wouldn't be looking for an OLF now. A total bunch of idiots is what the Navy brass is.
Phoney Politician
Wonder what Warner would say if it was in his backyard? He's a typical democrat running for senator and thinks he can get the military vote if he comes out in support for the OLF. Beware of Warner. He is a liar and only grandstands with those he thinks can help him get elected. After he's elected, he will forget all about the military with his feigned support.