A Jeffersonian Victory in Virginia

The 2008 election is the gift that keeps on giving.

At the close of the week of Barack Obama's election to the presidency came the news that Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode -- one of the originators of the creepy politics that was used by the worst elements within the Republican Party to try and frighten voters about the Democratic nominee -- had been swept from office in the tide of Obama votes.

Goode, an otherwise obscure Republican, stirred a national controversy two years ago when he worried publicly about the precedent set by the election of a Muslim, Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, to Congress. The Virginian declared in a letter to a constituent that "When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Qur'an in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and 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 Qur'an."

Goode made several television appearances during which he pushed this line, even after it was pointed out to him that Ellison was born in the United States and traced his family's roots in this country back at least to 1742.

Goode left no doubt about his disdain for Islam and for its practitioners, declaring that "I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped. The Ten Commandments and 'In God We Trust' are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Qur'an. My response was clear, 'As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Qur'an is not going to be on the wall of my office.'"

Predictably, Goode found a forum on Fox News, where he stood by his statements and said, without a hint of irony, that "I wish more people would take a stand and stand up for the principles on which this country was founded."

What made Goode's ignorance of those founding principles remarkable was the fact that he represents Virginia's Albemarle County, where Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743.

Ultimately, Keith Ellison countered Goode's attacks, with an assist from Jefferson.

The new Congressman from Minnesota declared his loyalty to the Constitution while clutching a copy of the Koran that was once owned by Jefferson. One of many Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist texts that the author of the Declaration of Independence donated to the Library of Congress at its founding, the Jefferson Koran was been loaned to Ellison by the rare book and special collections division of the library.

This was not mere symbolism. Ellison understood the Jeffersonian impulse that underpins the American experiment.

Unfortunately, Goode remained the representative from Jefferson's home county. And it looked as if this would be the case for a long time to come.

When 34-year-old Democrat Tom Perriello decided to take on Goode, he seemed to be a political sacrificial lamb. With his background as the founder of an international non-profit group, progressive stands on the issues and relatively small campaign budget, Perriello's looked to be the classic uphill fight.

But Perriello was an agile campaigner who attracted a cadre of committed volunteers and a good deal of grassroots support throughout the district. That combined with Virginia's quiet embarrassment over Goode's behavior, excitement about Obama's candidacy -- which would turn once red state blue on November 4 -- and perhaps a bit of the old Jeffersonian impulse to boost the challenger into competition.

The Goode-Perriello race was close on election night.

And, after three days of counting ballots, the Democrat prevailed by more than 700 votes. Perriello won with 158,703 votes, compared 157,958 for Goode.

Here's Perriello's message to his backers from late Friday:

We finally have an official tally and bipartisan confirmation from every county (less than 10 ballots left to confirm!), and the outcome is now certain: we have won the race and will be going to Washington to represent this amazing district. Some are already calling ours the biggest upset of the year and a bellwether of a new kind of politics in Virginia. I know some of you have taken a blow to work productivity as you hit refresh every few minutes, checking results. This has been a team effort from the start, and this victory belongs to all of us.

Rep. Goode has the right to challenge the outcome and probably will, so we will remain fully activated to protect our victory, but we have every reason to believe that this result will hold.

It is hard for me to express how much your support and your vote mean to me. I set out a year ago to show that a better kind of politics is possible. We wanted to show that Americans care more about an authentic sense of right and wrong than an artificial sense of right and left. We wanted to show that people are smarter and more decent than our politicians and media give them credit for. We wanted to show that our politics is capable of caring about jobs in Danville and genocide in Darfur – we have the capacity to promote the common good.

We faced off against a politics of fear, from doctored photographs to wild accusations and insinuations. We refused to engage in the personal smears, even when the political pros told us we had to do it. We focused on an agenda that was positive and bold, and did not run away from our convictions. I am so proud of the campaign we ran and the victory we have won.

This election year was about expanding our sense of what's possible in our community and country – what we are each capable of when called on to serve. We saw it in the movement spirit that rallied volunteers from our campaign and Obama's late Tuesday night. Amidst utter exhaustion and elation from Obama's victory, we put out the call to find volunteers willing to crank out one more 13 hour day to monitor the vote count. Drained but inspired, our volunteers did not hesitate for a second to rally one more time to ensure we saw this through. With an unprecedented get-out-the-vote push that so many of you joined and the final rally over the past 48 hours, we won this through people-powered politics. We can stand proud of the spirit of this campaign and the sense of hope and energy we have brought to our communities across Southside and Central Virginia.

You have all sacrificed beyond measure to make this victory happen. Please maintain the same vigilance about holding me accountable to these principles and this agenda as I head up to Washington.

With unending gratitude, Tom

That's a great statement.

There's just one line that needs to be added:

The Jeffersonian seat will now be represented by someone worthy of the position.

Comments (14)

1. Mr. Nichols,

   Thank you for a wonderful article detailing the magnificent outcome of a race run by a dignified man.

   This was the first I had heard of this important race in Virginia, and, as written, it is the best of reporting.

   Very sincerely yours,

   A.K. Grant Waterview, KY

   Posted by optimist at 11/08/2008 @ 3:57pm

2. Great article! Just one comment: as someone who worked for the campaign and got to observe Mr. Perriello up close, I think you underestimate the effects of his talent as a campaigner and of the readiness of many Virginians for a more bipartisan politics.

   Yes, the Obama candidacy drove up turnout and may have pushed Tom over the top. But Tom actually overperformed Obama in this district. Yes, Goode's racist comments alienated some constituents, but far more turned to Tom because they thought that he could do something about the jobs which Goode has failed to keep in our district.

   Tom won this campaign with a message that resonated with constituents, an incredible grassroots campaign effort, some great fundraising, an extremely talented campaign staff, a creative and effective ad agency, and sheer hard work.

   The factors you cite certainly helped Tom win this. But he also ran, by most accounts, a flawless and impressive campaign, and was himself an impressive candidate. There were as many who voted for Tom as voted against Goode.

   I'm proud to have him be my next Congressman.

   Posted by Gezi at 11/08/2008 @ 4:14pm

3. Thank you Gezi for further illuminating the bright light that is Tom. Incidentally, his international work in human rights law is an exceptional asset--something I just now learned by googling Tom's profile. Certainly he will be a tremendous asset to Congress-on all counts. I especially admire his call to his supporters and campaigners to make him honor his pledges--let him do that and more. Thanks for your hard work in helping to make his entry into congress possible. -K

   Posted by optimist at 11/08/2008 @ 4:21pm

4. I'm thinking this may be the time to start wearing one of those American Flag pins.

   Posted by JFHill at 11/08/2008 @ 6:47pm

5. Just off of curiosity and slightly off-topic, was Ellison re-elected?

   Posted by yutsano at 11/08/2008 @ 7:05pm

6. Posted by yutsano at 11/08/2008 @ 7:05pm

   Ellison won by 70% this year.

   On-topic, Virgil Goode is a dinosaur....and his "K-T Event" has already occurred, even if he somehow retains his seat.

   Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 7:36pm

7. On-topic, Virgil Goode is a dinosaur....and his "K-T Event" has already occurred, even if he somehow retains his seat.

   Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 7:36pm

   Is he gone and conceding or is he fighting it?

   Posted by yutsano at 11/08/2008 @ 11:03pm

8. oh please ... If Mr. Perriello is such so Jeffersonian ... does he call for an end to the Private Bank called the Federal Reserve? Please Nation ... try reading some Jefferson quotes before you start spewing your leftist crap.

   Posted by PatrickHenry23 at 11/08/2008 @ 11:21pm

9. Great!!!!!

   Posted by eniobob at 11/09/2008 @ 11:29am

10. Goode's Muslim baiting can be reduced to one senetence: Vote for me and I'll take care of them.

    Posted by haf at 11/09/2008 @ 4:18pm

11. Posted by PatrickHenry23 at 11/08/2008 @ 11:21pm The fed was created to control the flow of money after there was a run on the banks and leading to a financial crisis in 1907. Had Thomas Jefferson lived during that period, he also might have supported the creation of the fed. History is a great referral service and teacher; sometimes we have to extrapolate from those lessons in order to form that "more perfect union". John Nichols and Tom Perriello therefore are not "spewing leftist crap." The main point of Nichols' article is Virgil Goode's loss & intractable position on religious homophobia. Would you instead not like to address this question in place of your distaste for the fed? Why shoudn't Mr. Goode be dismissed from his position by the people who voted him in? It is his paranoid exhibitions about Islam that landed him in this position. How has he really served his constituents in making this nation a beacon for tolerance as is implied in script on the Statue of Liberty? If you're concerned with Islam, address that issue. It is a great and positive win for Perriello. I can only hope we can do the same in the 7th district in VA. where this writer resides and remove the Tom Delay Wannabe, Eric Cantor. Additionally, if Randy Forbes can be replaced, so much the better. Eric Cantor has been a thorn in common sense diplomacy in the M.E. One of the original neocons and long time friend of Jack Abramhoff (raising a defense fund for his trial on the criminal activities for which he was convicted) it is a sad commentary for the repubs that they have no one else to promote for the leadership position of their party. And this is the party that itself, according to Mel Marinez, (R)Sen. (Florida)says needs soul searching. Uh-hu; Good luck on all of that.

    Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 7:19pm

12. As Gezi correctly noted, Perriello actually outvoted Obama in the 5th District. What is being overlooked however, is that former Gov.Mark Warner won in the 5th district and Virginia by a "landslide". Tom Perriello's victory was not only well earned but stunning; Mark Warner's appeal could only help Tom win over former Goode supporters. I am proud to be represented by such a competent and respected young man. "Goode" bye Virgil!!

    Posted by SKate at 11/10/2008 @ 12:25am

13. Hold the phone. As much as I would love to see this victory cemented, NPR this AM reported that all is not fully certain and won't be for another two weeks. True enough, Perriello is leading by 680 votes (source, NPR) but this election is not over yet and to the credit of Perriello, he is not yet admitting that the fat lady has sung on this election. Let's all hope that this lead holds. But we all have to remember, after all, this is Central VA. were liberalism, populist appeal, and smart conservatism (and there are many) doesn't yet have a true hold in this area. Wishing Tom Perriello all the best of luck.

    Posted by Damascian at 11/10/2008 @ 07:51am

14. PatrickHenry23 wrote: "oh please ... If Mr. Perriello is such so Jeffersonian ... does he call for an end to the Private Bank called the Federal Reserve?"

    PH23 - I agree that calling a present day Democrat "Jeffersonian" is probably not going to be consistent with history because Jefferson espoused many views that many present-day conservatives believe in. Jefferson was against the creation of a National Bank because he was an ardently behind state's rights. He felt a National Bank would weaken the power of the states in comparison to a federal government that was gaining power. Although, let's be fair, many present day "conservatives" have given up the smaller government credo and are fine with big federal government as long as that government is spending money on programs they believe in.

    The author of this blog was referring specifically to Jefferson's open-mindedness about freedom of religion. Jefferson grew up in an era where protestant christians were decidedly the majority, especially the men in power, yet Jefferson is responsible for the "wall of separation" between church and state--and surely would frown at a government official who tries to scare citizens into voting for him based on a religious belief that is different from his (and from theirs).

    Ironically, off religion, when he became President, Jefferson nearly doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. No single state bought the Louisiana territory from France - the U.S. Government did. Odd manuever from a man so decidedly against a bigger, more powerful federal government, and who actually believed that the purchase was unconstitutional.

    Like many people, Jefferson found it much more difficult to practice what he preached when he actually came to power.

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/10/2008 @ 11:45am