Nice entry Kestrel. It's high time these incumbents realize that they are not invincible and cannot continue acting in complete disregard for the wellbeing of their constituents. It is obvious that democrats everywhere have lit a fire and it is spreading and the so called unbeatable republican majority is rapidly faltering...and they know it. Why else send such an urgent and pleading letter to supporters? The help will be needed for Bob because citizens around here want a congressman who will fight for their values, homes, jobs and children before big agri-business and the gambling lobbies. A close look at Congressman Goodlatte's voting record will easily show how extremist his stances on the issues are when compared to the people of the 6th. Check out Bobsvotes.com!

well, well, well we all know when the goin gets tough, the tough get going... but now we know when the dems starting flying, the repubs start crying!

There is good reason for concern.  The people are obviously not happy with Republican leadership.  They want change.  They want action.  The economy is faltering, health care costs are booming, and it seems that every country is our enemy these days.  To say that this session of Congress has be unsuccessful would be the understatement of the century.  Republicans have spent the year playing political games in an effort to block important legislation, and this effort has cost us dearly.  When the time comes, do yourself a favor and VOTE Sam Rasoul for Congress.

This is just amazing. He sounds scared. I guess he should be with his record. I can't wait to see what he tells people about this "small group of activists" later in the campaign.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

have said it better myself.

I can say with much pride that I am a member of the "Small Band of Activists" doing aggressive blogging.

This shows that you guys have Goodlatte scared. Keep it up! It's about time this district got a good and decent man in Congress. All the best to you Sam! You guys in the "small band of activists" keep up the blogging.

**

You can eat my hat.

To me, the most revealing aspects of Goodlatte's letter are paragraphs 7 - in which the current Republican 6th District Congressman quotes fellow current Virginia Republican Congressman Tom Davis:  "'...the atmospherics for Republicans right now are not good..."' and 8, which goes on to express the following:

"One only has to look at the recent state election results, the prospects of holding on to Senator John Warner's Senate seat, the uncertainty of the Presidential nominating process of both parties, the state of the economy, and last but certainly not least, world events, to agree with Tom."

Perfect!

As I advised Sam Rasoul a couple of nights ago after seeing this letter, use paragraph #8 to explain to voters in the 6th Congressional District why they need a change next year.  

Sam should send a thank you note to his opponent, expressing his appreciation for a ready-made campaign theme succinctly reduced to a single paragraph.

Thanks!

Steve        

It should be mentioned that the fact that Goodlatte is acknowledging an opponent before he has officially received the nomination (especially in the manner in which he is recognizing him i.e. making it look like hes almost running scared) is pretty damning and is worth mention.

Commenters on this blog and NLS railed against the DEM National leadership for not helping out w/ Phil Forgit's race in the past month. I agree some money should have been spent for Forgit, even if it was token $$$, to show good faith.

Now some commenters here are already betting future consumption of clothing items before Sam Rasoul, or any DEM, gets the nomination. Shame on you guys.

I have said before :  Sam may not be a perfect candidate BUT he works his butt off. He has organized people, sponsored a Presidential straw poll last weekend at Roanoke College, helped other candidates w/ their campaigns and visited every meeting and event that the Lynchburg Democrats have had in nearly a year.

I agree it will be surprising if Sam does well, let alone beats Goodlatte, but many of you can just slide right off that high horse and motor on down to the Western part of the state and help instead of promising to swallow an undigestible meal if Goodlatte doesn't cream Sam.

Sam Rasoul and his family members and legions of volunteers played a major role in a number of successful Democratic candidacies in the greater Roanoke Valley this past November, including helping to convert former Roanoke County red Republican board of supervisors and school board seats to blue Democratic replacements in very, very close contests.

Please consider employing the ultimate best method of dealing with a few naysayers that I have found to work quite well over my many years of successful Democratic politicking in the face of adversity and negativity...

Ignore them.

Thanks!

Steve  

Your attitude is why you win elections and have a great outlook on life!