"Democratic congressional candidate Al Weed said he wants to help integrate Virginia’s 5th District into the global community and economy, in a talk to students at the University of Virginia School of Law on Wednesday.

Weed, a Nelson County vintner and retired Army sergeant major, is challenging four-term 5th District Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, for the congressional seat in November’s general election.

Weed criticized what he called Goode’s “narrow focus” and a “deer-in-the-headlights reaction” to global affairs. “He has focused on representation and ignored the need for leadership,” Weed said.

Weed warned that Central Virginia is not isolated from the global stage.

The candidate said he is ready to build a “new foundation” for the region that addresses economic, scientific, technological and environmental globalization.

“The old ways aren’t working and we can’t expect to come out of the doldrums that affect much of this district by doing the same old things,” Weed said. “Fixing a leaky roof on a house eaten up by termites is not the answer. Building a secure foundation on which we can build a prosperous future is the only way to ensure that we will have a future we can all be proud of.”

Weed said, if elected, he would position the region to land jobs from prosperous corporations from around the world. And comparing the idea to the creation of land-grant colleges in the 19th century, Weed proposed federal support for professional development programs at Virginia’s universities aimed at “changing the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.”

In a question-and-answer segment with Weed, the law school’s Democratic organization learned that Weed supports immigration policies that allow migrant laborers to continue to work in the region for fair wages and legal status.

Weed spent a large portion of his talk, however, denouncing the Bush administration’s handling of the war in Iraq and the economy.

Tax cuts meant to help the middle class, heal the deficit and unleash investment that would lead to new jobs have not worked out the way congressional Republicans intended, Weed said. Instead, he argued, millions of jobs have been lost and the growing federal deficit is threatening Social Security coffers.

On Iraq, Weed said the Bush administration “seriously misjudged” the aftereffects of the war.

“They were sure that our GIs would be welcomed with open arms by cheering Iraqis,” he said. “They downplayed or publicly ignored the risk that U.S. soldiers would face significant guerilla opposition.”

Weed, who served six decades in the armed forces, said it is crucial to ensure that soldiers returning from the Persian Gulf are welcomed home with policies and benefits, in addition to open arms." (Liesel Nowak, The Daily Progress, March 4, 2004)

Contact Liesel Nowak at (434) 978-7274 or lnowak@dailyprogress.com.