Sen. John Warner, R-Va., defended the use of certain surveillance measures in protecting national security and discussed topics such as the state of the military during his visit to Grounds yesterday.
Warner, serving his fifth consecutive term in the U.S. Senate, emphasized why it was important for him to speak and learn from his visit to Grounds as he addressed Prof. Larry Sabato's introductory politics class.
"I do look forward to this day quite seriously," Warner said. "I want to leave here today better informed than I entered."
Students peppered Warner with questions ranging from the current judicial controversy with Attorney Gen. Alberto Gonzales to what some term a modern imbalance between civil liberties and national security.
"Freedom does not come without some expense," Warner said, advocating for some means of surveillance measures to root out terrorists. "It is in some sense Big Brother looking over your shoulder."
Warner echoed the sentiments of partisan friction that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, expressed earlier this spring before Sabato's class.
"I have never seen a Congress and president ... with greater strife, conflicts and gridlock than there is today," Warner said.
Warner, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, also touched on current military efforts in Iraq, noting that he is proud of today's military.
"Every single person in the military today has volunteered ... because he or she wants to be there," Warner said. "I am proud to say we got the best we have ever had out there in uniform."
Warner went on to add that the current generation of Americans "respects" the troops in Iraq, which he believes has not been the case since the Vietnam War.
As a '53 graduate of the Law School, Warner also touched on the University's role in his career.
"It's only because of the education that I got here that I have been able to achieve the goals that I have had," Warner said.
Warner received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech.
"I felt that Sen. John Warner was open and knowledgeable on the wide range of questions asked by students," first-year College student Cam Feller said. "I also found him to be welcoming and personable."
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