Final Thoughts:
Tonight Tom Perriello showed viewers exactly why he has gone from 34 points down this Summer to dead even against an incumbent in a Republican district. He gives smart, commonsense answers, and is an extremely talented communicator. Tom is like most people in the district. He supports good environmental legislation, gun rights, and wants to reduce abortions while keeping Roe V Wade on the books.
Goode came across as angry and indignant, desperately trying to tie Perriello to Obama and national Dems. Goode kept repeating "Perriello is New York slick...Mr. Tom's answer was New York slick...New York slick"...time after time.
So the best moment of the night was when Tom Perriello came back with "That answer was Washington slick," pointed at Goode's failed record, and gave a good substantive answer on the divisive issue of gun policy. Even Republican audience members seemed to appreciate Tom's civility and competence.
Tonight Tom Perriello scored a solid win in a heavily Republican part of the district, and showed people who agree with him AND disagree with him that he is simply more becoming of the people of Virginia's fifth district.
All systems Go! for tomorrow. GOTV for Tom!
8:09 Thats it! Summary coming in just a minute...
8:02 Perriello: Our loyalty has to be to this district. I will work as hard every day for you as you work for your families.
Goode: Obama is bad, even if some people kind of like Tom.
7:59 Question to Goode about healthcare. Questioner asks why he voted against universal healthcare coverage for our babies, and then calls himself "right-to-life."
Goode: I don't support SCHIP because it was funded out of a %159 increase on cigarette taxes. (Wouldn't that have kept more kids from smoking and being exposed to second hand smoke?)
Periello: The worst thing you can say about SCHIP is that some in the middle class will benefit? Thats not right. If you didn't agree with the bill, you should have put up a better bill. We don't need somebody who sits on the sidelines, we need to get things done.
7:50 Question from the audience to Tom as to his position on abortion and same sex marriage?
Perriello: I support state's right to choose. Its up to them to define it. I oppose a constitutional amendment, because it is is not in our constitution its in our character. I believe very strongly in the institution of marriage.
Goode: "That is a smooth answer that is wrong. We must support the federal marriage protection amendment. If we don't do that the cancer of same sex marriages is going to spread across the country."
What an asshole.
7:49 Goode just called Justice Alito "Ah-lee-OH-tow". And says Tom's answer was false. Goode is pissed and goes on an anti-Obama rant. I'd like to thank Congressman Goode for identifying himself as a Bush supporter.
7:46 Goode gets a softball question on gun rights and actually handles it pretty well. Says Tom is "New York slick" and lying about his record from the NRA.
But Tom comes back with a zinger!
Perriello: "That answer is Washington slick. I have the top rating that a candidate for Congress can get. We agree on your right to keep and bear arms."
The crowd LOVES it.
7:43 Goode: The USA is not the land of opportunity because we don't do what I say.
7:38 From the audience: How will you bring jobs to the district?
Tom: The first thing I did was 400 interviews asking people all over the district about how to bring jobs. I then did an "economic revival tour" and townhall forums. Bringing jobs back to southside will be my top priority. We also need to look at the potential for new energy jobs here. This is where Goode and I diagree. This is an enormous part of our future. I talk to dairy farmers who can create energy from create energy from electricity. We should be encouraging that, not complete control by the electric utilities. Tom is killing it.
Goode: Healthcare needs jobs. Campaign for America's future wants higher electricity costs. Talks a little bit about switchgrass.
7:34 How is it coming across on TV? In the studio, Goode seems angry. You can tell he is not used to being challenged. He is also drawing a lot of chuckles from in the studio for his ridiculous accusations that Tom is somehow from New York. Call in questions have begun.
7:30 Goode: On energy, I support the alternatives and I support teh drilling. A lot.
7:28Perriello: We spend 90% of the debate on 10% of the solution. That's how Washington has been working. We can't just find this one wedge to score political points on.
7:26 How are the huge job losses in VA-05 Congressman Goode's fault?
Perriello: You can't lay them all at Virgil Goode's feet. But Bobby Scott, Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine have been more successful at securing jobs for. I wouldn't be running if I didn't think I as going to be more effective than the leadership we have had for the 5th district.
Goode: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac gave money to Democrats and thats why we are in this crisis.
Perriello: Direct Challenge -"Congressman Goode, those are not "my people," and you keep repeating it knowing it is wrong.
Goode: "Those are intertwined with the TOm?!!1!"
7:24 Call in!
7:22 Goode is trying to tie Perriello to national Democrats. Perriello is really giving the impression that he actually knows what the economy does and how it works.
7:20 Goode: "Tom is New York slick, still. A fence bill passed. It wasn't my bill, but I did want MORE fence built. I have the ability to work with others (except Muslims, foreigners, people from fake Virginia, a northern state, Democrats, or Republicans.)"
7:18Tom: Illegal immigration is a serious issue. I don't think thees a job American's won't do. I do think there's a wage they won't do it for. Goode couldn't even get his bill out of Committee when the Republicans wre in charge. You want somebody who can actually have an impact.
7:16Perriello: "This is truly scary analysis." You can't get the right prescription if you don't have the right diaggnosis. As little as a year ago Goode voted against regulating loans. If you honestly think these Wall St people were in it for charity, you give Wall St people way too much credit.
SLAM.
7:15 Goode: People should read Michelle Malkin. Seriously. Its good. Blah blah blah.
7:13 Question to Tom on lobbyist donations...
Perriello: Goode says we've gotten money from "lobbyists and lawyers", which is like comparing elephants and tigers. We've run a people-powered campaign with money from all 22 counties. We've raised more money in the district than Virgil Goode has. 100% of our commercials are positive. 100% of his ads are negative.
Goode: "Mr. Tom" takes money from other politicians, who are Democrats. "He's New York slick and don't let him fool you." Goode is going INCREDIBLY negative.
7:10 Question on the economy:
Goode: I was not in favor of the bailout. Tom was for it. It was a march towards more government regulation.
Perriello: I was also against the bailout. Goode says we have too much regulation, and that's not the case. The fact is we have removed key accountability measures that have let the fox gaurd the hen-house. Talks about Enron loophole on Commoddities exchange. This is an honest disagreement. Goode didn't do anything about the bailout except wait for a better bill. We need people who will bring down debt equity ratios and punish the people on Wall St. who got us into this mess.
SLAM.
7:06 Goode's opening statement. I'll have to disagree with Tom right off the bat. He's run one of the most negative campaigns I've ever seen. Virgil then spends the remainder of his opening statement sliming Tom. Ew.
"I will not let New York influence my vote." - Virgil Goode
7:03 And we're off! Tom Perriello starts off "Thank you to the people of the 5th district. I've been welcomed by those who have agreed me, and those have disagreed with me. Voters are smarter and more decent than our leaders give us credit for. Plugs Mark Warner and commonsense Virginia values. We've gone from 34% behind, to dead even because of our positive message.
Its not just about change, its about revival. its about reviving the spirit of the greatest generation.
6:49: faithfull here in scenic Martinsville with the fine people at Hollywood Cinema and "Star News" to liveblog the first live televised debate from the Congressional candidates for in VA-05. In the left corner, we have grassroots champ in Democratic candidate Tom Perriello, and in the wrong corner, we have Virgil Goode, who is in the struggle for his political life.
How are things feeling around the state today?
And then when that caller asked about jobs, and said she had just finished an associates degree in accounting. Goode answered that more workforce training was needed... DUDE. I think he got that idea from the caller just then.
Notice the anger and clenched jaw on Goode? You could watch the veins in his temples pop when Tom challenged him on the facts!
And when he went after Obama, I damn near laughed myself silly. I had to shout "You're not running against Obama!"
I suspect that Virgil would not have been willing to debate had he not been scared of losing, and I also suspect he cannot believe this kid in his 30s might actually beat him, so he does not know how to attack him.
If Tom came across as calm, assured, and Virgila came across as angry, then Tom will benefit, perhaps just enough to pull this one out.
I have high hopes on this race.
And I'm glad I spent part of a recent Saturday in Charlottesville making phone calls on his behalf.
Peace.