In an automated phone call on October 27, 2004, Al Weed says, "Virgil Goode just doesn't understand working people."

According to his finance chair Bruce Williamson, the Weed campaign expects to be recording a thirty-second message from Governor Mark Warner, in addition to the one by Al, to go out to over 60,000 households this week. The calls, he says, "cost $4,700.00 each, and we'd like to do three of them before the election. The list is targeted both at undecided voters to convince them to vote for Al and to Democratic households to ensure a great voter turnout." (electronic mail, October 27, 2004)

Here is the Al Weed phone call received at loper.org:

Hi, this is Al Weed, the Democrat running for Congress. Virgil Goode just doesn't understand working people. Goode voted against raising the minimum wage, against extending unemployment benefits, and against guaranteeing health care for all Americans. Goode is a millionaire, a professional politician and he's out of touch. I understand what working families face and I will work hard for you. I ask for your support. Please vote for me, Al Weed, on Tuesday. Paid for by Al Weed 2004.

In the meantime, The Daily Progress has endorsed Virgil Goode (Editorial, October 28, 2004), saying that Mr. Goode knows the kind of help members of the 5th District (composed of "large swaths of rural and blue-collar voters who are themselves Virginia political traditionalists") need, listing "helping to secure a $6 million federal grant for worker training through area community colleges," helping to "$4.4 million for the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, $7 million for land expandsion for the National Ground Intelligence Center and $4 million over four years for Virginia Neurocare" as some of Goode's accomplishments.

Please send your thoughts about the Virginia 5th District Congressional race to george@loper.org where the most representative comments will be placed on my web site with full attribution.

And be sure to vote on November 2nd.