Goode, Perriello race shows fireworks

Danville Register and Bee
Published: September 7, 2008

Whatever gloves Congressman Virgil Goode and Democratic challenger Tom Perriello might have been wearing in their campaign fight were tossed to the ground Wednesday night near the end of a forum in Danville.

Goode, a Rocky Mount Republican, called Perriello a “hypocrite” for not going after oil holdings of former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner while complaining about his stock portfolio.

“You took a very surprising swipe at Mark Warner today. To do that in Southside Virginia takes

a lot of guts,” Perriello said at the forum held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. “There’s rarely been a person who’s stood up and fought as hard for Southside Virginia.”

“That was not a swipe at Mark Warner, that was a swipe at you for attacking people for what they own,” Goode responded. “I didn’t

attack Mark Warner, but you are hypocritical.”

The Charlottesville area Democrat said Goode, R-5th, is in the

top 3 percent of congressional members for their holdings in major oil companies — at least $100,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

“This is the only statistic he ranks high,” Perriello said.

Goode said he probably owns two oil stocks, but that Perriello has money in a mutual fund

connected to Exxon, General Electric and Chevron.

Perriello said his 2,000 investments don’t compare to Goode’s vast wealth. The congressman ranked 84th among the House’s 435 most wealthiest with net worth ranging from $2,373,059 to $5,672,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Goode laughed at the assessment.

“If they right me a check for $6 million, I’ll take it,” he said.

Goode said the sluggish economy has taken its toll on his investments, which are now probably worth $2.5 million. He pointed out that he lost his investment in Dan River Inc. stocks and recouped little from his Tultex shares.

Ineffective?

Perriello said Goode has been in Congress too long to lack the influence he does for someone with his stature, according to a recent published report.

Roll Call, a D.C. political publication, ranked Goode 60th out of 66 Appropriations Committee members and 311th out of 435 congressmen. The survey had Goode ranked 8th out of Virginia’s 11-member delegation.

“He’s on Appropriations. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be in the top 4 (in the Virginia delegation),” Perriello said.

Goode said the survey is skewed against Republicans. He said Democrats fare better in the survey than Republicans because they control the House and the Senate.

“That’s an absurd survey. Roll Call bought another company … the other company conducted the survey,” Goode said.

He said the survey will be used by pro-Democratic forces to smear representatives like himself.

Goode said he has been very effective in Congress, especially when it comes to projects that benefit Southside.

Millions for the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, the Brosville waterline and an unmanned robotics program have been brought to the area, Goode said. Perriello said Goode could have brought more money to the Fifth District if he had more clout.

“That has helped Danville in a number of ways,” Goode said.

The fight continues

Perriello attacked Goode for backing three minor Republican candidates for the party’s presidential nomination. Goode has endorsed John McCain, with certain reservations, but said the Arizona senator is a better choice than Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

“The choice between Barack Obama and John McCain is clear-cut,” he said.

Goode was critical of McCain during the primaries because of his stance on immigration and other issues. He praised McCain for picking a conservative running mate in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Goode said Palin has some qualities that his pick for the vice presidential nomination, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, does not.

“She has a Down syndrome child and she’s raising five children. I think it’s great to have someone like that on the ticket,” Goode added. “I still don’t agree with (McCain) on everything. I’m not sure if he’s for drilling in ANWR (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). She (Palin) knows the situation better than anyone.”

Goode said the race for the 5th District House seat is going to be tough. Both candidates are approaching $1 million in fundraising in what could be the most expensive race in the district.

Goode maintains that he remains the best choice to lead the district, which he has represented since 1996, despite the views of Perriello and his supporters.

“Perriello is more liberal than (former Democratic challenger) Al Weed,” Goode said. “The liberals in the Charlottesville area don’t like me. They’re goal is to capture the seat for their view point.”