Should I be Worried about Reps. Nye and Perriello?

I was very proud to support the election of Virginia Democratic Congressmen Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye. They share my values and I think both are doing a great job as freshmen congressmen.

But I am worried about their future political views.

Both men are 34 years old and as Bob McDonnell will tell you, political views “evolve” over time starting at age 34. (What one believes as a 34 year old will be repudiated over the next 20 years if McDonnell’s life is the norm.)

So Congressmen Nye and Perriello, please don’t evolve on me. I like you just the way you are.

Thanks!

Rep. Bob Goodlatte is a Birther, Rep. Eric Cantor Blames the Media

I wonder if Betty Hill were alive today if she would be a "birther"?

My favorite commentator on Twitter, PourMeCoffee, nailed the whole “birther” nonsense. (You know, the “birthers” are these paleoconservatives who deny that President Barack Obama was born in the U.S. and therefore is not eligible to be President under the Constitution.) PourMeCoffee compares these nut jobs with the late Betty Hill, who believed that an outer space alien arrived in a U.F.O.  and abducted her and her husband.

As PourMeCoffee wrote, “This is what those wishing to engage the birthers are up against. Love your crazy! Hug it and hold it and love it right! Betty did. Never, ever let it go!”

Cue Virginia’s own, Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke.

Obama’s Climate Change Win: Who Backed the President, Who Didn’t and Why

Yesterday evening, the House of Representatives passed an historic climate change bill which will reduce the level of greenhouse gases emitted in the U.S. over time by requiring polluting businesses to purchase credits to continue to pollute at current levels. Businesses who pollute less will be able to profit from selling the credits to businesses who aren’t willing to change their polluting ways.

The vote was close. 8 Republicans joined the Democratic leadership to pass the bill, while 44 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the bill.

Dear Va. GOP: What Part of Nov. 4 Did You Miss?

Dear Virginia Republicans:

I’m trying to understand your alternative reality or as Frank Rich calls it in today’s New York Times, a parallel universe / echo chamber. Maybe you can help me out.

Congressman-Elect Tom Perriello by 749 Votes

Although the results in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District are not yet final, Tom Perriello increased his lead after a bipartisan canvass of every county and city in the district.

On Friday at news conference in Martinsville, Perriello declared victory, with unofficial State Board of Elections results showing a 749 vote margin for the Democrat. Former 5th District Democratic Congressman L.F. Payne has agreed to head up Perriello’s transition team.

The State Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the results on Nov. 24. At that point, the candidate who is certified to be on the losing end of the election can request a recount, according to the State Board of Elections. Given Perriello’s current lead, it’s highly unlikely that the results would be overturned, but count on Congressman Goode to spend the taxpayer’s money for a personal ego trip of a recount.

On a more positive note, take the time to watch the video from Perriello’s news conference Friday, which is found on his campaign website. While there, be sure to read the note of thanks from Congressman-Elect Tom Perriello. Tom is my kind of politician. I’m proud to have contributed to his race.

Flip That State: Obama’s Redrawn Political Map

It’s been nearly a week and I still can’t believe it. Virginians gave its Electoral Votes to Barack Obama, elected Mark Warner to the Senate and took over 2, possibly 3 GOP House seats with the election of Glenn Nye, Gerry Connolly and the possible election of Tom Perriello. They will join Senator Webb and Congressmen Boucher, Moran and Scott as Democrats representing us on Capitol Hill.

JMU’s Roberts Expect Feder and Perriello Could Upset GOP Incumbents

On Friday on WRVA News Radio in Richmond, James Madison University political science professor Robert Roberts was quoted as saying Democrats Judy Feder and Tom Perriello could knock off GOP Congressmen Frank Wolf and Virgil Goode on Tuesday, because of a successful Democratic GOTV program led by the Obama campaign. Roberts also predicts a Gerry Connolly win.

Washington Post: 3 GOP Seats in Va. in Jeopardy, Big Win for Gov. Warner Expected

Chris Cillizza, a political writer with the Washington Post has named the Top 50 House seats across the country most likely to switch hands on Tuesday. There are three seats held by Virginia Republicans on the list. He’s also made a bold prediction about Gov. Mark Warner’s Senate race against Gov. Jim Gilmore.

MSNBC: “NRCC Concern Over Once-Safe GOP Seat?”

It’s happening. The Republicans are in full out panic-mode over the surge of Democratic support in Virginia. The latest sign, according to MSNBC, is that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is focusing more attention on attacking Tom Perriello who’s running against Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Status Quo).

MSNBC reports that the NRCC has issued a press release claiming Perriello is, “someone who feels more at home on the Upper Westside than he does in the heart of Virginia.”

Puh-lease. Perriello was born and raised in the 5th District and the Republicans know it. If being from New York is so horrible, why in the world did Goode take $150,000 from New York financial interests?

New Ads Up for Tom Perriello

Folks, Tom Perriello can win with your help. These ads were just posted on Tom’s YouTube site and are running in rotations on TV across the 5th district.

TV Station Pulls False GOP Ad Attacking Tom Perriello

The Charlottesville Daily Progress reported yesterday that Roanoke’s CBS affiliate WDBJ has pulled GOP ad attacking Tom Perriello because the newspaper story cited in the ad incorrectly stated Perriello’s position on gay marriage. (The paper issued a subsequent correction to its story, but why should that stop the GOP from attacking Tom?)

Here’s the false ad attacking Tom Perriello. To help Tom fight back, make a contribution to his campaign at www.perrielloforcongress.com.

CQ Politics Upgrades Rating for Perriello in Race Against Rep. Goode

Tom Perriello is gaining traction in the closing days of his campaign to defeat GOP Congressman and Xenophobe Virgil Goode. Today CQ Politics upgraded its rating in the Perriello-Goode race in Tom’s favor. CQ Politics also highlights that today, the Danville Register & Bee endorsed Tom, the first Democrat they’ve endorse for Congress since the endorsed Virgil Goode in 1996, when he was a Democrat.