Nate Wilcox and I just got back from a trip to Charlottesville, where we spoke to the UVA College Dem's about our book, Netroots Rising. On the drive there and back, one thing we noticed was a lot of signs. McCain Country/McCain-Palin, Virgil Goode, Eric Cantor signs - big ones, small ones, medium ones - were all over the place along Route 29. Unfortunately, we only saw a few Obama signs, none for Anita Hartke, and none for Tom Perriello. I am well aware that "signs don't vote," but still it was disconcerting. Oh, there were also a lot of bumper stickers for Republicans, pretty much none for Democrats. Welcome to "red" Virginia.
On the other hand, once we got to Charlottesville itself, it was all Dem's all the time. It's like a little blue island in a sea of red, and it's really stark on October 1 preceding a hotly contested presidential election. Also, despite his sign advantage, Virgil seems a bit worried. Check out the following press release from the Perriello campaign:
Goode Running Scared, Backs Out of Televised DebateOctober 1, 2008-Charlottesville, VA-NBC 29 reported today that Rep. Virgil Goode will back out of the 5th District televised debate that has been on the calendar since April. He cited "a scheduling conflict." The debate was deliberately scheduled on the same night as the presidential debate to increase viewership.
"There's just no excuse for this. We've been working with NBC29 and WSET for over six months on scheduling and setting rules for the debate. I call on Congressman Goode to tell his constituents what other event would be more important than a televised debate for the benefit of the voters," said Tom Perriello, his Democratic challenger. "The truth is: Congressman Goode is just running away from his terrible record on the economy, gas prices, and so many other problems facing middle class families. His constituents deserve the opportunity to hear him defend that record, and hear my vision for bringing jobs and economic relief back to Southside. This is cowardice, not leadership."
Perriello will likely see similar margins, but if history is any indication, he will run slightly behind the top of the ticket like past Democrats. Hopefully there will be some coattails from the presidential and senate races to pull him over the top. He is a great candidate and could definitely get more done for the 5th in Congress.
I just want to add that while having this discussion it is important to remember that Charlottesville-Albemarle is the largest population center for this part of the state. The combined population of Charlottesville and Albemarle is over 130,000. That number is about the equivalent of Madison, Greene, Fluvanna, Culpeper, Louisa combined. Also note that the Charlottesville Metro (Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, and Nelson) constitutes about a third of the 5th's population. Perriello needs to win big up here and keep things somewhat close.
Attending a fundraiser: http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/l...
Virgil Goode's priorities are for the special interests, not Central and Southside Virginia's interests.
This is the last weekend to register voters. The Obama campaign here has concentrated on canvassing, voter registration and voter persueasion. Plus we have that whole Liberty University thing to deal w/ Our poor registrar is having volunteers count and do data entry.
The "chum" material of a campaign are yard signs, bumper stickers and these mini-billboards. Why the Obama campaign has NOT further advertised in this low tech manner is disappointing and a mistake.... just as it was in the Webb campaign. They've (Obama) done great things in Virginia by fielding multiple field offices but in these RED areas they have seriously under-utilized the local (and somewhat beleaguered) democratic committees.
So showing your colors (Big Signs) falls more or less to these connected local Democratic party committees who once again (not unlike the Webb campaign) are overlooked and perhaps under appreciated because they are in RED country.
However, I understand what Obama is talking about when he says he can use that money that would have printed signs to make stronger, better connections with people. That logic makes sense to me, and it is enhanced by the knowledge that some people have always been pissed about the illegally placed signs (those on DOT rights of way) and the number of people aware of those laws is growing and more people are getting pissed about it regardless of party affiliation on the signs.
Is Obama right? I don't know, but it is an interesting argument. If he really is connecting to more people; then that is a fundamental and long term change in the ground forces that make up this greatest of American games... People who connect on a social and cultural level will remain active in the party for generations. The sign people come and go and forget rather quickly; hell, they don't even pick up their own signs after the election (though some do).
I am adopting a wait and see attitude and trying to connect more face to face with people I run into. Chanting/Praying/Hoping it works,
That's all one really needs to do. The Obama logo is really concise and makes a statement. It would really standout on those big ass signs.