FREDERICKSBURG -- Virginia's freshman Democratic senator and former governor, Mark Warner, joined public tumult over health-care reform with a town-hall meeting yesterday on the divisive issue.
During the evening event attended by about 1,800 people, Warner walked the fine line between the two groups, something he has done for eight years when he governed as a pro-business Democrat. He now aligns himself with moderate Democrats in the Senate, whom he calls "radical centrists."
Warner had something for both sides of the debate in the sometimes raucous meeting with widely divergent interests. In a presentation, graphics showed steadily escalating lines representing health-care costs, a trend that Warner said meant average Virginians would be paying 40 percent of their incomes for health coverage.
"We have to change the financial incentives we have now in the health-care system," Warner said. "We're really good at acute care. If you have a heart attack or a traumatic accident, we do well at that. But if you have a chronic disease, then it's not so good."
The crowed seemed to be split evenly among those who support the Democratic health-care initiative, those opposed, and those who were more interest in listening than shouting.
Some in the crowd wore orange stickers that said "Guns Save Lives," while others held green and white placards with the words "Repower America," a reference to sustainable-energy initiatives.
Inside, conservatives, seated together on one side of the room, cheered loudly when Warner said he demands a health-care program that would not expand the federal deficit. The other side of the room erupted in applause when Warner said another requisite for his support would be driving down the cost of health care.
The mood turned confrontational several times.
Peter Canciglia of Spotsylvania, screaming from the floor, tried to make a point about the primacy of state rights as conservatives cheered him on and the rest of the room booed him and shouted him down.
Warner, unable to hear the question, instead attempted to answer an inquiry from an audience member who had won her chance to ask a question in a random drawing.
Warner attempted to head off some of the rhetorical battles when he began talking, noting to the crowd that national media were on hand and reminding them that Americans should be civil, despite their views.
"Not only are we Americans, we are Virginians," Warner said. "We treat each other with respect."
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