The Charlottesville Daily Progress reports that Tom Periello, "[a] leader in the progressive religious movement" with "wo degrees from Yale" is running for Rep. Virgil Goode's seat in the 5th district. With Periello's candidacy, there are now three Democrats -- the other two being economic historian David Shreve and former state trooper Brydon Jackson -- seeking the party's nomination to run against Goode next year. In 2006, Goode defeated Al Weed 59%-40%, and Democrats obviously hope to do much better in 2008. Periello has raised an impressive $110,000 in just 4 weeks as a candidate. This compares to about $300,000 cash-on-hand for Virgil Goode. Yesterday, I had a chance to talk to Periello and was positively impressed by his energy, intelligence, passion, and progressive faith-based values. Periello's commitment to the common good, and the extent to which his faith informs his progressive political value system, both came across strongly in our conversation. For instance, Periello believes that our culture places far too great an emphasis on violence and on instantaneous gratification. Having said that, Periello feels that Americans are capable of sacrifice if they are asked to step up by their leaders. And, Periello argues, he is ready to lead.
According to Periello's website, although he is just 32 years old, he has "helped to launch eight non-profit organizations dedicated to justice, human rights, and the environment," "worked on justice-based security strategies in Afghanistan and Kosovo, prosecuted warlords in Sierra Leone, and developed alternative peace strategies to curb acts of genocide in Darfur." In addition, Periello "co-founded Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good" and "helped to launch FaithfulAmerica.org." That's a lot, at any age.
Meanwhile, the Virgil Vigil has been quiet of late, but it continues. Goode's anti-Muslim bigotry is a disgrace to Virginia, as are Goode's shady connections to MZM Inc. As TPM describes it, MZM is "the defense contracting company owned by [convicted felon and ex-congressman] Randy "Duke" Cunningham's real estate sugar daddy Mitchell Wade." Obviously, we can do a lot better than Virgil Goode, and Democrats now have three candidates -- including Tom Periello -- who intend to make sure that's the case in 2008.
Although I am new to this area, I learned of Goode earlier this year with his anti-Koran stance and was quite disgusted. Let's get rid of him as our representative.
After the latest round of so-called "faith based" legislation(s) I need to know where Periello stands on issues of personal freedom and privacy.
I have no problem with true faith based leadership, I just haven't seen much proof of it lately. I hope his commitment to the common good is inclusive and means everyone.
I will be watching and learning about this newest candidate.
Perriello is definitely 100% faithful, but he's not waving the triumphalist flag at all. You don't go around the world trying to bring warring parties together, etc., and come back thinking that stubborn faith alone will bring solutions, or that only one side has the answers.
For an example, you can read the "about us" section of faithfulamerica.org. First, it's billed as interfaith, and its mission is defined mainly in earthly terms with emphasis on common good. If that's what drives a candidate's motives, I think we have little to fear.