Who can beat Virgil Goode in 2008 ?

[Bombtrack]

He's a frigging moron.

[VaYallaDawg]

1. Maybe we can hope this is his "macaca" moment.

However, a suspicion deep inside me tells me he has solidified his incumbency stronger than ever in that particular district. A sad commentary on our beautiful state, but there you have it.

[abluelady]

2. If he keeps opening his mouth, anyone!

Too bad he didn't make these comments in October! We all thought Allen was a shoe in and look what happened to him. People like Goode and Allen tend to learn the hard way that we are smarter than they are.

[sofa king]

3. He's always vulnerable because he's not a real Republican

The reason Goode is a Republican at all is because he got scared by a Charlottesville weasel named Landrith, who did unusually well as a Republican in what until recently has been "southern Democrat" territory (in the same way that Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms were "southern Democrats"). So Goode went Independent, then switched completely over to the party which best represents his own amorality, but primarily to shut out Landrith as a competitor.

Goode's district is geographically huge, stretching from Charlottesville to Danville and the North Carolina border. Most of the territory is still the province of tobacco growers and cattlemen, but demographic changes have created increasingly well educated (and therefore Democratic) areas around college towns which give a glimmer of hope.

To win the district one would need a very high turnout of Democrats and a depressed turnout of ignorant-ass Republicans, and the way to do that, unfortunately, is to ensure Goode gets the nomination again in a year and a half, and then blast him with every stupid thing he's ever done--which is considerable--and label him as a flip-flopper, which he definitely is.

The Democratic candidate would have to be a moderate on smoking and mad cow disease testing.

On the bright side, targeting Goode's district would be an excellent way to swing the entire state of Virginia to the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2008.

[Eurobabe]

4. Why can't the Dems field someone like Webb in VA-5?

Don't get me wrong, Al Weed is a good man. But we need someone who can defeat Goodie-2-Shoes.

[abluelady]

5. Why Can't the Dems Find Someone to Beat Eric Cantor?

It seems to me the Democratic party is very weak in VA. I was hoping with Kaine (D) following Warner (D) the party would be infused with young leaders who could be mentored. It doesn't look like it's happening. The VA legislature is up for election this year so maybe we'll start seeing some changes that will bode well for the future.

[Eurobabe]

6. Yeah Cantor is the next Rick Sanctimonius from PA!!

Blech. :puke:

[abluelady]

7. You Are So Right!

Except I think Eric may be brighter and not open his mouth like Santorum. But I can hope. :>)

[VaYallaDawg]

8. Bingo, bluelady. He has two secrets to success:

(1) marry a beautiful, educated, articulate woman who is respected in her own right; and (2) keep your mouth shut as much as possible, stay away from anything controversial.

He was handed that district on a platter by Tom Bliley and the VA GOP.

[abluelady]

10. She May Be Beautiful

but she is a total bitch. I know people who have had to work with her and she is horrid. But she is smart and she wants to be Mrs. Congressman Cantor. You're giving her way too much credit, imho.

[Catchawave]

19. .......or Thelma Drake !?

Phil Kellam was so close though, but she had her attack dogs in full force. Also, we stopped getting her "Dear Constituent" updates.....hmmmmmmm?

On the upside, Bush, Laura, and Cheney visits really didn't help her that much.

[Penndems]

9. The short answer, at this point in time, is "nobody"

Virgil is so entrenched in that area it would be almost impossible to run someone against him. The Fifth District is overwhelmingly Republican, particularly in the rural Southside area. Unless we come up with a moderate Democrat with an agrarian background, Virgil's in Congress for life.

Hard to believe that, up until just a few short years ago, Representative Goode was a Democrat. Everybody in the DPVA heaved a sigh of relief when Virgil finally switched parties.

BTW, his last name is pronounced "Goo-DEE".

[LetsThink]

11. Major news sources, major players in the area?

If the area is still tobacco based, what happens when bio-fuel from Va.grasses is introduced for sale through co-ops? That is, could there be issue leverage leading to pocket-book voters? Any hope there?

[Penndems]

12. Tobacco and cotton commodities are grown for domestic and overseas markets, but crops are

diversified. Soybeans, alfalfa, peanuts and vegetables (primarily corn). Also livestock, dairy and swine.

Excellent report on the importance of tobacco in Southside:
http://www.reap.vt.edu/publications/reports/r30.pdf

Career prospects in Southside:
http://www.careerprospects.org/Trends/hot/hot.html

The introduction of grass-based biofuels would be of tremendous importance to farmers in Southside, particularly as to its effect on the local agrarian economy. How will the biofuel help them produce improved, more abundant crops and feeds? Should they choose to cultivate biofuel grasses, what effect would it have on their budgets? Will it add or reduce costs? What out-of-pocket expenses will they incur? What is the profit margin for a co-op farmer? What are the advantages/disadvanges becoming a member of a biofuel grass co-op?

So, in answer to your question regarding leveraging the biofuel grasses issue to pocketbook issues, the answer is yes. If farmers don't produce plentiful, profitable crops, they mortgage their farms, producing a deficit they carry into the next planting season. If they go several years with a cash harvest, they eventually end up losing their homesteads. (USDA provides some farm subsidies, as does the Commonweath of Virginia for crop diversification.)

Major news sources: Primarily central Virginia, Shenandoah, Tidewater and north central North Carolina media markets. Northern Virginia markets also reach into Albemarle County.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2291

Richmond media outlets: http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/46/2555

Virginia News Media information:
http://www.vartv.com/

Major players:
State Senators Creigh Deeds and Roscoe Reynolds
Delegates Ward Armstrong and David Toscano
Fifth Congressional District Dem Committee (http://www.5thcddems.org/aboutus/committee.asp)

(I'm sure I've left someone out of this list. :))

Hopes this helps somewhat.

[LetsThink]

14. This is GREAT !! Working model first step ?

This is terrific information!! The foundation for any workable plan is good information and analysis..... Then we need to get creative.

I wonder if any of the major players in religious tolerance are taking note of Mr.G. Then we have a beginning alliance of groups around two issues- one pocketbook, the other a 'call to higher moral standard' (eg: greater religious tolerance) w/ 5th congressional district leading the way? By standing up to Mr. G's imputed characterisation? Just have to be careful to approach the regional population as new (Dem.) allies; Most likely, they do not yet understand their full potential so there's a lot of information to get out to folks. I wonder if media is the best way to reach rural populations- may be better to set up some working model to show people how they can look at the new biofuels market as a plus. Pocketbook to philosophy to politics.

Anyone know the tech side of big diesel farm machinery? Would these motors need to be adapted to run on biodiesel? If they need to be converted, how feasible is that and what would it cost? Could a biofuel co-op also help members convert their machinery? That way, there is an instant, initial market for the first product. Maybe there is a way to get some of the tech universities involved? Some have been holding competitions on alternative fuel engines. What about grants, subsidies to get a model up and running?

We'd need to have a package together (workable model on paper) then approach some farmers- try to get one or two in the region to participate......give the prototype great media coverage, bring good PR to the area based on new economics- biofuel program, new thinking, etc. All this leads to new thinking/ new mindset with a Dem leader on the cutting edge. Perhaps we can ID someone with leadership qualities among the farmers expressing interest in the program, unless the 5th Congress.Dem Committee already has someone in mind?

OK. I'm dreaming here, right? Someone pinch me back to reality.

[LetsThink]

16. Taste of Egg on My Face......... the WAY FORWARD...

OK-- Turns out a lot of the strategy framework I dreamed up and above ("This is GREAT....") was attempted in the last campaign against Goode. According to the people I spoke with last night at the Clarendon Ballroom Webb event, the idea is to forge ahead with a biofuels agenda, to get something going- and promote the use of Virginia-grown and produced biofuels by local governments (Arlington, Montgomery, Fairfax, etc.). People in another part of the state are already phasing in production-- is THAT exciting or what!

So-- push for Va-produced biofuels to be used by local governments.

[Eurobabe]

13. I've heard it pronounced GOO-ED

Like something is all gooed up. I actually voted for the arshole in 1996 when he was a Dem running in the 5th District. Yikes!

[LetsThink]

15. Senator Harkin's Dec 12, 2006 press conf. about Ag Cmte Agenda

Senator Harkin was on C-Span2 tonight -a broadcast of the Dec 12, 2006 press conference looking at the agenda for 110th Congress.

Some quick notes from the press conf:
-MUST help farmers begin the transition to growing new energy crops; how to best marry conservation security w/ energy production program, to fit into a green box. Grain based v. grass-based ethanol. 36 mill CRT acres (conservation ) – switch grass for instance is good nesting for birds but then can be harvested after nesting.

-Must look ahead. Must be energy independent; must move to biofuels as one part; support farm income too.

This is GREAT NEWS for Virginia-- and the 5th Congressional District ... may be bad news for Goode.

[va4wilderness]

17. Yes, please...

Find someone to replace this moron Charlottesville and Southside! Coming from this area, I like his Southside accent, but I don't like his politics.

And next door - someone remind Mr. Slickmeister Bob Goodlatte in the 6th district about his promise to only stay in Cong. 12 years (Contract with American - term limits).

I can't stand the drone of either of these idiots.

[LetsThink]

18. Political Money Line Reports Goode Took $250k.......

From CQ Politics.com: 1/4/2007 Goode Takes $250,000 As Executor:

Controversial Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr. (R-VA) has reported taking $251,250 since 1998 as an executor’s fee from his late mother’s estate. In 1998 Goode reported receiving $2,500. Goode’s personal financial disclosure statement covering CY1998 stated “Ethics in phone call said it was fine since it was the estate of my mother – 2500 was gross – net was less.” However, the amounts grew dramatically three years later. In 2001 he reported receiving $19,000; in 2002 $102,000; in 2003 $92,750; in 2004 $17,350; and in 2005 $17,650.

View Goode’s profile page with links to his personal financial disclosure reports.

In 2005, Goode was drawn into the controversy surrounding the Cunningham bribery scandal when questions were raised about a defense contractor in his district, MZM Inc. An owner of MZM and an employee pleaded guilty to illegally reimbursing employees for their contributions to Goode’s campaign.

In December 2005, Goode’s campaign committee donated $90,500 to various local charities.

-------

That last line- about Goode campaign donations to local charities may explain some things, too. In a rural, rather poor area $90k is a LOT of money to spread around.