Tom Perriello is one of two Democrats -- the other is Dave Shreve -- running for the party's nomination to take on Virgil "So Bad He's" Goode in 2008. Right now, I'm in the process of learning more about each candidate, and keeping an open mind. Tonight, I attended a Perriello fundraiser in downtown DC at Tom's invitation. I didn't take photos, but here are some notes I scribbled down.
*There were about 50 people there, mainly young people from the progressive faith-based activist community, on a snowy/nasty night. They all seemed very enthusiastic about having one of their own -- a progressive faith-based activist -- running for Congress.
*Perriello spoke for about 10 minutes and then took questions. He started by noting that the DCCC had already "targeted" the 5th district, something they didn't do the last time around.
*Perriello talked about running against the "old kind of politics," the politics of "bigotry and division," the politics of "ideology ahead of results," represented by Virgil Goode.
*I kept hearing phrases like "our generation," a "new kind of politics," and how nothing's a "foregone conclusion" or "predestined" in life.
*According to Perriello, the 5th district is "hurting right now." Poverty rates are high, the schools are broken, factories are closing. "We need a culture of the common good in the 5th district."
*Virgil Goode is "a bit of a character...a bit of an institution."
*Both Mark Warner and Tim Kaine won the 5th CD, so it's definitely winnable. Tapping into the faith community is key, as is netroots organizing. Mark Warner will be on the ticket this year, that will help a lot.
*"We're way ahead of where I thought we would be" at this point. "Broke the fundraising record for the district."
*"There are so many issues I care about." Priorities include health care, national security, global poverty, stopping genocide, alternative energy, biofuels.
*Offering an alternative vision, one based on "conviction politics."
*"People care more about right and wrong than about right and left."
*Virgil Goode has been ineffective. Moderate Republicans are supporting Perriello, they want no part of Goode anymore. Goode can't get things done for the district.
*"The politics of transformation is in the air." Importance of building a grassroots movement, engaging people in the campaign, making this a national race.
What I saw tonight was a lot of youthful energy and potential. The question is, will the progressive faith community rally behind Tom Perriello in a major way? If they do, it could be a formidable force. We'll see...
I think if voters truly understood how corrupt Goode is, he'd be gone. Josh Marshall's site has amply documented how tied in Goode was to the whole MZM/Cunningham mess. I hope we figure out a way to get that info to more voters in the 5th this time around.
It's good for all the citizens of the 5th, 10th, and 11th districts that there'll be Democratic primaries between what appear to be quality candidates. Hopefully, we'll see similar stories pan out in the other districts, especially those (2nd, 4th, 7th) w/o even one declared candidate, yet.