We have so many great candidates this season, and each one of them deserves our support. Al Weed is my neighbor and we couldn't ask for a finer candidate. While I'm thinking of it, he will address UVA Dems tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. in Wilson Hall, Room 301.
Al Weed particularly needs your financial support and let me explain why. Virginia's 5th congressional district is largely rural. Many voters do not even have internet. TV and print advertising are critical in Al's effort to unseat Virgil "MZM" Goode. Perhaps because of her past in the Bush election, Katherine Harris received about 100 times the print coverage on MZM as did Virgil, but he received more donations from MZM than did she. Weed's ground campaign is excellent, but this is a huge region, and television advertising makes a huge difference.
When Richard Berglund was charged with illegally contributing money to Goode's re-election campaign and subsequently convicted, the print media in the 5th district largely ignored it (Roanoke is in the 6th CD).
Virgil's web presence is all but nonexistent. The core content has not changed in two and a half years. Just the same slogans. Compare the front pages, then and now.
March 30, 2004: Front Page Content
Illegal immigrants take jobs from our citizens. I'm working to stop illegal immigration and secure America's borders. We must keep America strong and free by supporting the war on terrorism. While the United States has had a number of success in fighting those who want to destroy America, our borders are porous and are far too open to illegal immigrants, potential terrorists, and drug dealers.I'm committed to stopping the flow of jobs out of our country. We must preserve jobs in America for Americans. We need even more job training and additional job opportunities, and we must continue our fight against trade legislation and agreements that shift manufacturing jobs to third world countries.
Social Security must be preserved for senior citizens and the disabled. I am working hard to protect Social Security and Medicare, and have helped to provide a presecription drug plan for seniors and the disabled. Social Security and Medicare were lifesavers for my mother, who died at age 87, and are lifesavers for millions of other Americans.
http://www.virgilgoo... September 12, 2006: Front Page Content
Illegal immigrants take jobs from our citizens. I'm working to stop illegal immigration and secure America's borders. We must keep America strong and free by supporting the war on terrorism. While the United States has had a number of successes in fighting those who want to destroy America, our borders are porous and are far too open to illegal immigrants, potential terrorists, and drug dealers.I'm committed to stopping the flow of jobs out of our country. We must preserve jobs in America for Americans. We need even more job training and additional job opportunities, and we must continue our fight against trade legislation and agreements that shift manufacturing jobs to third world countries.
Social Security must be preserved for senior citizens and the disabled. I am working hard to protect Social Security and Medicare, and have helped to provide a presecription drug plan for seniors and the disabled. Social Security and Medicare were lifesavers for my mother, who died at age 87, and are lifesavers for millions of other Americans.
Campaign Trail news STOPS at July 1-9. Nothing in the last two months. Goode is really, really trying to squeak through this by flying below the radar. Don't let it happen!
Please visit Al Weed's site, learn more about him and help send Al Weed to Congress!
At 7:00 pm the Honorable Mary Sue Terry, the first woman to hold statewide office in Virginia, will introduce Geraldine Ferraro, as part of the 2006 National Symposium Series on Women and Politics.
Ferraro earned a place in history in 1984 as the first woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket.
A keynote address by former Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro highlights the Center for Politics’ 2006 National Symposium on Women and Politics, a year-long series of national events exploring how women are changing American politics, both as politicians and as political insiders.
7:00 p.m.
University of Virginia
Newcomb Hall Ballroom
The event is free and open to the public.
It's not that Goode is unbeatable. It's just that Al is not the guy for the job. Why put money into a race that has already been run over and over? I would rather spend where there is a real chance for a win.
This is Weed's second run against Goode. Many things have come to light in the last two years. The $$ argument you make is a circular trap ---- no $$ -> Al can't win --> no $$..
The point is to break the cycle.
You sound really negative if you ask me. Do you live in Virgil's district, too?
My very real concern is that Al is just not that popular. We both live in the C'ville area and I have known him for long enough to understand that although, people in the area humor both his political ambitions and lackluster wine making skills, giving heavily to support either probably is not going to happen. I guess that makes me a nay-sayer, but with healthy funding I believe Webb can beat Allen in November, so why not send the resources there?
Nothing like wrapping yourself in the flag to try and make people forget you are a crook.
Al, on the other hand, has worked tirelessly all over the district to meet people, listen to them, their concerns and ideas. Honestly, it is as if Virgil is not running, he is so low-key.
Maybe he is waiting for that other show to drop in the Wade/Cunningham investigation?
I have been volunteering for Al since last December, and this is the home stretch. There are TV ads to buy, more appearances, etc. Please support Al Weed for Congress any way you can.
Is this the Annual Government Printing Office Picnic?
I hosted these myself, so there would be no cookies set from his website. There is no schedule of events, nowhere a constituent could go listen to him talk, nothing.
If he doesn't want to run, why does he go through the motions? What is he afraid of?
Turnout was about twice what I expected. Students are working for both Al Weed and Jim Webb, and literature was there for both of our candidates.
Al Weed did a great job of summing up the 5th district and its demographics. This may seem like a minor point, but many students, and a fair number of Charlottesville area residents, really don't have a good understanding of the makeup of our district.
And I don't remember the exact wording, but he said that the best way to address the excessive influence of wealthy lobbyists is to replace the legislators who work for them.
I didn't go to hear Geraldine Ferraro afterwards, but there is some video here. Sounds like it was quite an event.
http://www.nbc29.com...