Dem Perriello Declares Victory Over Goode In VA

Roll Call reports:

With the canvassing process virtually complete in Virginia's 5th district and attorney Tom Perriello (D) ahead of Rep. Virgil Goode (R) by nearly 750 votes, the Democratic challenger declared victory Friday afternoon.

"It looks like the outcome is now certain. We are going to win this race and pull off the upset," Perriello said.

Perriello said his campaign would now be moving into a transition phase and in that effort he has enlisted the help of former Rep. L. F. Payne (D-Va.), who held the seat from 1998 until retiring in 1996. Goode, then a Democrat, won the open seat and succeeded Payne.

Goode disagrees:

Virgil Goode disagrees with that statement. In a statement provided to NBC29 he says, "Any declarations of winners and losers in this race is premature."

Congressman Goode goes on to say: "It is important that we take the time for a fair and thorough process to ensure that every legitimate vote is counted. We remain optimistic that we will prevail when this process is completed."

Goode is best known for his attacks on Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and other Muslims. When Goode was sworn in on a Koran, Goode wrote, "If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Quran." In an ad this cycle, Goode depicted Perriello as dark-skinned and bearded.

Comments

[Nikonicus]

As a citizen of Virginia, let me say that Goode is an embarrassment and the sooner he's gone, the happier many people will be. He represents the worst of the "Old South," with his xenophobia and thinly disguised racism. Good riddance to Goode.

www.nikonicus.net

[BeauMonde]

Good for him.

[MNmommy]

As a citizen represented by Rep. Keith Ellison (and a worried potential constituent of Al Franken) I pray that Goode goes down in defeat!

[ggmome]

To remove Goode from office, will be the best indicator that Virginia has come of age!

NEXT: Removal of the negative influence of Jerry's kids from Lynchburg, VA. That will cleanse Virginia thoroughly!

[sisteract]

Hey Virgil! Watch out for that doorknob on your way out! You should check out some of Thomas Jefferson's writings in your spare time.

[PT6]

ToBade Goode!

It is time to live in IRAN and become educated!

[lisakaz2]

Good! I needed to hear this since Bachman the bad seed will be back again. Congrats, Rep. Perriello (I sure hope it's final).

[MarkVA71]

Go Tom! And he's cute too!

[richdoll]

i live in va and voted for perriello .. goode has done nothing for the 5th district .. all i have to say is goode riddance

[NoSillyName]

Virgil Goode, a misnomer if ever there was one.

[crz112112]

If you like to win...
Start addressing real issues
Stop mixing re.ligion with politics
Stop personal attac.ks

When will the Republi.cans learn this? I hope they dont...

[mirza]

Goode epitomizes what is wrong with the Republican Party

[leeman79]

Hopefully, this is official.

[CocteausTwin]

**former Rep. L. F. Payne (D-Va.), who held the seat from 1998 until retiring in 1996.**

One of our first time traveling representatives. What will this do to the time continuum? It could be quite the dangerous precedent.;-)

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

I for one am jealous. I also wish I could step through mirrors, as did Cocteau's Orpheus.

[waynesmyer]

In 2004, only 30% of ballots by enlisted personnel stationed in Iraq were counted! What about the count in the present election??? Does any know? Who would the troops vote for in the Periello-Goode race? Or have the troop's votes even been counted? Did we get screwed again?