Senator Warner skyped into Virginia Commonwealth University today to speak to a classroom full of students about his work on bipartisan deficit and debt reduction, and his efforts to make it easier for innovators and entrepreneurs to form new businesses and create jobs.

Students from undergraduate political science and graduate business classes asked the Senator questions ranging from energy dependence to regulatory reform to the recent political focus on social issues such as contraception and the mandatory ultrasound bill prior to abortion that is being considered this week by the Virginia General Assembly.

“I am really disappointed with Richmond’s preoccupation with these contentious social issues,” the Senator told the students. “These issues don’t bring people together or move Virginia forward. We should be focusing on jobs and getting our economy back into gear. Issues like gay adoption and mandatory ultrasounds might provide some great material for the late-night comedians, but the focus on these divisive issues does little to promote Virginia’s national reputation as a well-managed, business-friendly state.”

Senator Warner spent about an hour speaking with the VCU students – and he even singled-out one student who tried to slip away before the class was over:

Dag, Senator Mark Warner just called me out for dipping out the teleconference early! Lol.

— CeeJayLouis™ (@TheCeeJayLouis) February 28, 2012