Saying he is concerned about a "growing anti-business populism" around the nation, Sen. Mark Warner told public affairs professionals Tuesday that they must convince Americans that "business success doesn't necessarily translate into the American public's loss."

To that end, the former Virginia governor and first-term senator urged those attending the Public Affairs Council's spring board meeting to seize on one or two public policy issues and take "big action" that convinces Americans that the business community has their greater good in mind.

"That big-picture, creative, we're-in-it-for-the-country approach is sadly missing," said Warner, who addressed board members on the second day of their meeting at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Businesses, he said, need to be seen as "the job creators and the engines of growth rather than just the object of scorn."

"We need that kind of ‘holy heck ‘ moment in a big way," he said.

Warner - a Democrat and former businessman who helped found or was an early investor in several technology companies - said public "scorn" is not helped when some companies and associations resist attempts to move the nation from its reliance on fossil-based fuels and toward a "portfolio" of energy options that includes nuclear power, wind, solar and other sources.

From a public affairs standpoint, he said, "it's incumbent for the business community in this country to actually be for something rather than always against something."

The senator also said politicians need input from business on making America's corporate tax structure more competitive to prevent companies from moving operations overseas. But he warned that such a change must be done in a "revenue-neutral way," and that companies must be willing to compromise.

"I can't stand one more relatively sophisticated person coming into my office and saying ‘Lower my taxes, get rid of the debt, and by the way, make sure you provide world-class education, infrastructure and everything else.'" he said. "It just doesn't add up."

Warner is taking a lead on Senate legislation that would regulate the nation's financial system to prevent the risky practices that led to the worst recession since the Great Depression. He acknowledged "some level of frustration" with the pace of the legislation, which Republicans claim is "arrogant and partisan" in part because it would create a "resolution authority" to seize and dismantle risky financial institutions.

While he said there's "complete agreement" between Democrats and Republicans on the goals of the legislation, "personality and greater political forces are... slowing down the process."

"What I want to find is something that, while being imperfect, will stand the test of time," Warner said.