Hurt 'concerned' by priorities in Obama's State of the Union

After attending President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, Rep. Robert Hurt said he saw some areas of agreement, but he didn’t hear much about what he feels is the country’s most pressing problem.

“I was concerned at the conclusion of his speech, that he really didn’t spend a lot of time talking about the biggest challenge that we face, and that is our financial situation, that our military people have said is a huge national security threat,” Hurt, R-Chatham, said in an interview last week. “When you’ve borrowed $15 trillion, we’ve got to address that in a meaningful way. And I didn’t see the bold vision and the leadership, I think, that is necessary to address this in a real way. He talked a lot about more government programs. He talked a lot about more government mandates. He talked a lot about more special-interest loopholes. He talked more about raising taxes, and very little about how we rein in government spending and live within our means. Frankly, I did not think that he really offered us anything in terms of the jobless issue.”

Four remaining GOP presidential candidates are battling to be the nominee to offer a conservative contrast to Obama later this year, but Hurt isn’t taking sides just yet.

“I, like all Republicans who are following this process, really want to have the best candidate to field. The issues that are facing this country are of paramount importance, and I think this election is in many ways going to be about the future of this country and about whether or not we want to be a country that is committed to the principle of individual liberty and free enterprise… Or do we want to have a country where we have a federal government that takes care of us from cradle to grave?... I have not concluded who the best candidate is to be able to articulate that.”

The freshman congressman swung by Glenmore Country Club in Keswick this week to speak at a luncheon hosted by the Central Virginia chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

In an interview prior to his speech, Hurt struck many of the same notes he’s highlighted since being sworn into office more than a year ago. He stressed the importance of a balanced budget, praised the military, prioritized national defense spending and chastised Democrats for failing to act on jobs legislation passed by the GOP-controlled House.

“I think the message is that, at the end of the day we have to balance our budget… that means that we’re going to have to make some tough choices,” Hurt said as he summarized what he would say in his speech. “And the way that you do that in Washington, or should do that in Washington the way it’s done everywhere else, is that you have to prioritize. What’s the most important?... I think everyone would agree that national defense is at the top of the list.”

One portion of Obama’s speech that Hurt said he could get behind was the praise for the nation’s military.

“I certainly couldn’t agree more with him about his assessment of the good work that’s been done in Iraq and what our soldiers are doing in Afghanistan,” Hurt said. “It is nice to see the fruits of that… it’s important that we recognize that great service.”

Amidst what is sure to be a bitter election year, Hurt said he also shares Obama’s optimism that the parties will find common ground.

“I also agree with him when he says that he is hopeful that we will get some things done this year. All the pundits suggest that we’re not going to get anything done this year. I’m hopeful that we will, because I think it’s in the best interest of this country. Regardless of our political affiliation, I think that we all want to see full employment, we all want to see a balanced budget, it’s just how do you get there?”

Hurt said he specifically appreciated Obama’s call for further action to harness domestic supplies of oil and natural gas.

“He’s been president for three years and this is the first time he’s talked about it in a meaningful way in terms of opening up domestic supply of known reserves, offshore and onshore. We’ve been talking about that for the last 12 months.”

Hurt, who beat former Rep. Tom Perriello in 2010, is up for re-election this year in the 5th District. Campaign finance disclosures show Hurt had $412,683 in cash on hand through Sept. 30 of last year, according to figures from the Federal Election Commission.

Brian Coy, a spokesman for the Virginia Democratic Party, said the party plans to run “aggressive campaigns” in all 11 congressional districts, but he declined to give any names of possible challengers.

“There are some folks who are thinking about running in the 5th District,” Coy said.

In June, Perriello said he had no plans for a 2012 campaign for his old seat.

The Center for American Progress, a progressive D.C. think thank, announced in December that Perriello had been hired to head up its advocacy efforts.