Would you be willing to dispatch a campaign staffer or full-time volunteer to enlist college students in a registration crusade? There are numerous possibilites: U.Va., Virginia State U., Longwood C., Hampden Sydney C., St. Paul's C., Averett C., and maybe out-of-district colleges like Randolph C., Virginia Union U., V.C.U., U. of R., and the Richmond Seminaries) volunteers to help with the canvass?

You make volunteerism an important feature of your campaign. Could not part of this volunteerism be devoted to getting more African Americans--historically excluded from voting in Virginia--registered to vote? (I know this is true; I'm old enough to have paid the poll tax!)

Volunteers could do voter ID of currently registered residents in homes where they are registering those who are unregistered.

As for college outreach, as some of you know, we pioneered a program called Common Good Summer, where we recruited the best and brightest from our local colleges to work full time in the field for our campaign. They have been fantastic ambassadors, knocking on thousands of doors, making thousands of calls, and registering a ton of new voters. The success of the Common Good Summer Fellows program has really surpassed my expectations. Five of them are staying with us to continue their field work in places like Farmville, Danville, and Martinsville. The others have all committed to being our representatives on their college campuses.  

Some say this election will be decided by Oct. 6. I hope everyone out there is registering everyone they know.  

In terms of bloggers, Rep. Goode doesn't know the age of bloggers, but he seems very scared of the people-powered politics that the internet has promoted. Congressman Goode is used to campaigns that are corporately financed and driven by the powerful. Thanks to the internet, I have been able to reach out to donors all across my district and receive small donations from every county. The internet has helped level the playing field against entrenched incumbents.

All joking aside, I think people in the district find it concerning that Congressman Goode treats the internet as something to be scared of rahter than something to engage. Mark Warner understood the importance of broadband for rural economic development. I think the creative use of the internet in our campaign reflects my ability to use 21st century tools as part of an ecnomic revival strategy. We need people with experience in the 21st century economy to help bring jobs back to Southside.  

I'm sure you will prevail - hatred is an UnAmerican, UnChristian relic of the Bush years, it is in its last throes in this country - we're counting on people like you.

Loving your neighbor as yourself is not an act of weakness, it's an act of courage - whether that neighbor is in Danville or Darfur. Americans have never shied from a challenge. That's why this campaign is not just about change, but a revival of the Greatest Generation's commitment to serving country and community.

After Sept. 11, Americans were ready to become energy indepedent; our leaders asked them to go shopping. After Katrina, Americans were ready to defeat poverty; our leaders weren't. Americans remain ready; it's time for leaders who are too.  

After this election is over - either between November and your swearing in or sometime next year when you have some time off - would you be interested in coming to Williamsburg to speak to politically and/or spiritually active William & Mary students some afternoon?

Not every Catholic kid had the fortune to be so influenced by a liberal Italian mother or the Society of Jesus like I was - I know a lot of people - both anti-faith liberals and anti-liberal Christians - who could use an afternoon hearing from/talking to a fellow like you.

Keep in touch.

Quick tips ... get someone like Lowell to work keyboard magic for you ... add a quick welcome youtube style video done in advance ... and you'll be a hit!
by: Shawn @ Tue Sep 11, 2007 at 1:55:46 AM EDT

Just a little preview of the choice voters have ahead of them this November.

Looking forward to the conversation on Friday. Thanks for hosting us, Lowell!

I like what I hear, and apparently, so does the crowd.

The DCCC has picked us as one of the top races in the country for their Red to Blue list because they know we will be competitive and all the currents in the district are favoring change. Obama is polling well in the district, and Mark Warner has it locked up.

When we had 250 people out in Goode's hometown of Rocky Mount the night after the debate, people were saying they heard Goode lost a debate for the first time. The buzz is growing fast and we feel great about our chances in the fall.  

At the end of the day, what's most imporant to people is supporting their family. The key to that is jobs, healthcare, and education.  

That said, your message, especially on the role of faith in informing public policy, and the need for economic development, is compelling.

What has been the biggest challenge your perceived in breaking through the "Virgil Block" that people seem to have in this district.

Is there anything that blogs like this one ought to be doing that can help you?

I really appreciate how supportive the blogs have been. What can you all do? Keep talking about our race. Help us raise money. Tell your friends. Yesterday, we launched a drive to get 200 new supporters over the next 10 days. Please help us reach that goal: http://www.perrielloforcongres...  

The debate last week was fantastic.

Perriello Praises Obama for Focus on Jobs
Goode's Comments Out of Touch with Virginians' Concerns

August 20, 2008 - Martinsville, VA - Tom Perriello, the Democratic nominee for Virginia's fifth congressional district, praised U.S. presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama for visiting Martinsville today and discussing economic issues with citizens who have recently lost their jobs. Mr. Perriello attended the town hall meeting, which featured more than 300 citizens of Henry County and Martinsville asking the senator about education, veterans' benefits, and labor.

"It's great to see a national spotlight being shined on the people of Martinsville who have been left behind in our economy," said Perriello. "Martinsville has the highest unemployment in the state, and we continue to lose manufacturing and furniture jobs to overseas competitors. Bringing jobs back to Southside Virginia will be my number one priority in Congress, and I launched my economic R.E.V.I.V.A.L. tour in Martinsville because this is the place that needs new leadership who will finally stand up for the American worker. Sen. Obama, Mark Warner, and I will be those leaders."

In an article in today's Martinsville Bulletin about what area officials would ask Sen. Obama, Rep. Virgil Goode was the only person quoted who did not have a question about the economy or related healthcare and education costs. Instead, he said he wanted to ask Obama about same-sex marriage.

"Martinsville has double-digit unemployment, jobs are going overseas, the U.S. dollar is getting weaker, and Rep. Goode thinks our number one economic threat is same-sex marriage," said Jessica Barba, Perriello's communications director. "This really shows that since becoming a multi-millionaire in Congress, Rep. Goode has become seriously out of touch with the struggles of working families in Southside."

Mr. Perriello will speak in the pre-program portion of Sen. Obama's town hall meeting this evening in Lynchburg.

Nice job, Tom, I bet that felt great!

Cong. Goode claims that because of his seniority he will be able to get committe appointments that put him a position to help the District that you, as a freshman, will not be able to get. I presume he is talking about a seat on the Appropriations Committee, which does help a representative steer earmarks to his/her district.

What is your response to this argument? Why will you be a more effective representative for VA-05?

Also, Congressman Goode has taken $1.5 million from lobbyists and corporate interest groups. He's ranked in the top 15 members of Congress with personal holdings in Big Oil, and hasn't voted for any serious energy bill that wouldn't make the oil companies more money. I've refused all lobbyist donations so I make sure I represent the people of my district. We've gotten thousands of small donors from around the district.

I would not be in this race if I did not know in my heart I can do more for Southside than Congressman Goode because I have the drive and the energy to get results in Washington.  

But we cannot let yet anotherenergy crisis pass without committing our country to long-term energy independence. That will be driven by energy efficiency technology and alternatives. I strongly believe we must shift subsidies away from Big Oil and towards the new energy economy.  

I support more drilling but I oppose using drilling as an excuse not to tackle the long-termproblem.  

IT IS BRILLIANT:  SIMPLY PUT, REVENGE FOR PURPLE HEART BAND- AIDS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

What could be done in the next decade to improve the livelihoods of those who have lost their jobs in the Martinsville area? Some elected officials who have studied the problem have supported using I-73 to bring some industries to the region, while others have said that a regional four-year college could offer work to some individuals. Since both of these projects seem to be on the back burner, are pork projects-the same projects Goode claims to want to deliver if he gains a seat on the Appropriations Committee-the only answer for this region? At your first debate with Mr. Goode, you said that such pork projects aren't sustainable. If this is not a viable alternative in your eyes, do you favor pushing harder for I-73 or the regional college near Martinsville or do you favor another set of actions which would bring relief? Thanks.

Education also must include a national commitment. I believe in promoting a culture of service to replace the culture of greed and corruption that has infected our politics and our corporations. Anyone willing to commit to an extended period of national service - e.g. teaching in underserved rural communities and small towns -- should get a break on college.

NCI has shown a great start in Martinsville with great local and state leadership, and I am eager to support itsexpansion.

Southside Virginia is hurting but there are some real signs of hope. People are ready to work. New leaders in Washington can stop rewarding companies for going overseas and stand up for the working and middle class again. I'm looking forward to getting to Congress and fighting for economic development in our small towns and rural counties.

Lowell, thanks for having me. I look forward to the exchange with RK readers.  

Best wishes,
Tom

www.goTom2008.com  

Environment Virginia Endorses Tom Perriello
Environment Virginia is partnering with Environment America to endorse Tom Perriello for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Perriello has been a consistent supporter of the environment, and is committed to making environmental protection a priority once he is in the Congress. Environment Virginia believes that electing Perriello is an incredibly significant step to strengthening the pro-environment majority for the 111th Congressional session. Electing leaders like Tom Perriello will enable us to bring about much needed change in environmental policy and is critical to stimulating national action on environmental issues such as global warming.

Perriello has spent most of his career as a national security consultant and a founder of faith based organizations. He helped found FaithfulAmerica.org and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good which fight for environmental stewardship1. His dedication to the 5th district has been proven through the campaign's innovative volunteer tithing program that commits 10% of volunteer time to community service. The consistency of his record inspires confidence that he will both vote for and champion important environmental legislation once he arrives in Washington, D.C.

Perriello believes that the threat to our climate is one of our country's top national security issues, economic issues and moral issues.2 He is determined to make sure the 5th district is at the forefront of the energy independence and green jobs movement. Perriello supports developing alternative energies, investigating second generation biofuels and getting America off its addiction to oil. 3

Perriello's opponent, Virgil Goode, does not have a dependable commitment to the environment. Goode voted against protecting our waters from sewage overflow and
against protecting our coasts from offshore drilling. He also voted against extending clean energy incentives, instead choosing to continue subsidies for big oil.4 Further, he does not feel that global warming legislation should be a priority for the United States Congress, and has a 0% rating on the 2008 Environment Virginia Legislative Scorecard, which scores how members of Congress vote on environmental issues5.

This race is important because it can play a major role in building a proenvironment majority in Congress. Currently, special interests and a handful of antienvironmental votes in Congress are blocking the policies necessary to truly address our nation's climate and energy problems. Increased support for an honest appraisal of our energy needs and fossil fuel-free future is imperative if true solutions can be found.

1 http://www.perrielloforcongres...
2 http://www.perrielloforcongres...
3 http://www.perrielloforcongres...
4 Environment America Scorecard 2008
5 Environment America Scorecard 2008

Tom Perriello will be a crucial part of the new leadership in our nation's capital that will take on these difficult issues and enact meaningful reforms. He has the experience, commitment and leadership essential to move Congress toward environmental solutions. Environment Virginia supports Perriello for the U.S. House because we need legislators who will act for our environment in both the long and short term.