U.S. Senate hopeful Harris Miller spoke at the University Democrats meeting last night in order to garner support as he begins his campaign.
Miller most recently served as the president of the Information Technology Association of America and said he believes this work experience will aid him in serving as an effective senator.
"I'm a business person," Miller said. "I know how to get things done and bring people together."
According to Miller, Republicans have approached politics with the wrong business perspective, in which one side wins and the other loses.
"We need the business, the customer, and the employee to win -- this is the way business works," Miller said. "I know business and government are two separate things -- business is for profit, government serves the people -- but the same principles apply."
Miller said he would make fiscal responsibility, healthcare and education his priorities in the Senate.
In terms of education, Miller criticized Republicans because financial aid cuts have put a $2,000 burden on each Virginia college student.
"It personally pains me to hear that we're cutting back," Miller said. "For millions who see higher education as a way to move ahead, it is a punch in the solar plexus."
According to Miller, the current system neglects a need for improvements in technology education and the needs of people who wish go back to school. "There is no system for people beyond college and graduate school age who need training for jobs," Miller said.
University Democrats President Katie Cristol agreed technology is an issue that needs to receive more attention from the federal government.
"The countries that prioritize teaching technology are countries that will get ahead," Cristol said. "The number-one country should have the number-one resources in terms of teaching technology."
While Miller targeted Republicans and Sen. George Allen, R-Virginia, for neglecting such problems in education, College Republicans President Brian Gunn disagreed.
"Merely looking at his record indeed proves that George Allen is a man who is committed to the education of Virginia students," Gunn said. "George Allen has substantially increased the amount of money brought into our school systems, whether it consists of the $897 million for local schools, the $52 million for training new teachers or the $205 million dedicated to more Pell grants for college students."
Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, who met with Miller yesterday, said Allen is the current favorite.
"George Allen is a clear favorite for re-election, but he's not unassailable," Sabato said. "Recent polls have shown him to be under 50 percent, although he maintains a lead of about a dozen points."
According to Sabato, it is up to the Democrats to nominate a candidate who can either defeat Allen or weaken him prior to his possible presidential race.
"Gov. Mark Warner would have defeated Allen easily," Sabato said. "But the Democrats have no one else who can start out the race as the favorite. Democrats have a choice to make between Harris Miller and Jim Webb, and it's just too soon to say which way that primary will go."
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