"RICHMOND - Fifth District Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., I-Rocky Mount, switched caucus loyalties and picked up a plum new committee assignment Thursday as he threw his conference loyalty to the Republican side of the aisle" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Goode appeared in the Capitol in Washington with House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R.-Ill., and other GOP leaders who welcomed the former Democrat and rewarded him with a seat on the influential House Appropriations Committee" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Angry Democrats said Goode won't stay on Appropriations long if their party regains control of the House in November. GOP control of the House is narrow - 222 current Republicans to 211 Democrats and two independents, one caucusing with each party" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"'It certainly makes it a little more difficult for the Democrats to regain control of the House, but if we do he can count on something like the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee,' said Craig Bieber, executive director of the state Democratic Party" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt, D-Mo., said Goode's decision 'wasn't the brave act of a maverick. He buckled under to Republican threats on redistricting his seat out from under him. He has now aligned himself with three different parties in less than a week' and should be replaced by a representative who cares more for the district than for 'his political self-interest'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Goode rejected Gephardt's claim that the Democrats had listened to and respected his positions as a conservative" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"'Mr. Gephardt is right in saying that they listen to you, but they never follow you,' said Goode. 'I want somebody that is going to take some action on spending less instead of always more'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Goode praised Hastert as a fiscal conservative, promised to support him for Speaker and said his new Appropriations seat is a position that can 'help me to better represent the citizens of the Fifth District'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"'I still will be running as an independent,' Goode said in an interview" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Democratic officials attacked Goode for his caucus switch, called on him to return campaign donations from Democrats and said they might try to unseat him in the Nov. 7 election" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"'I'm sure there will be people interested in running,' Bieber said" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Fifth District Democratic Chairman Carl U. Eggleston of Farmville said that Goode should return 'all campaign contributions received from grassroots Democrats and Democratic-affiliated organizations'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"Goode said he suspects he has given the district Democrats more money in filing fees to run twice for Congress than the party has given him" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

"As for individual donors, 'I think most of those who donated to me have done so on the basis of an individual, not any party,' Goode said" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, January 28, 2000).

Readers Respond

Noting Virgil Goode's change of party, I indicated to individuals on my e-mail list that I was curious about how many had a) voted for Virgil and b) given him a campaign contribution. And, if they had made a campaign contribution, whether they wanted their money back. Indicating that all responses would be posted on my home page.

To date, I have heard from Blake Caravati, Terri DiCintio, Virginia Germino, Charles Gleason, Paul Goldman, Wayne Harbaugh, Steve Koleszar, Cheryl and Elton Oliver, and Lloyd Snook.