Independent Rep. Goode Switching to Republican [formally]

Reuters via abcnews.go.com ^ | July 26, 2002 | Unattributed Reuters

[SlickWillard]

Independent Rep. Goode Switching to Republican

July 26, 2002

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, a former conservative Democrat turned independent, formally announced on Thursday he will switch party affiliation on Aug. 1 to Republican.

A three-term U.S. lawmaker, Goode, 55, declared his intentions in a brief letter to the chamber's clerk, which was read aloud on the House floor. He had earlier said he planned to make the change.

His decision will shift the House's balance of power to 223 Republicans to 210 Democrats, with one independent and one vacancy. All 435 seats will be up for grabs in this November's congressional elections.

[SlickWillard]

This had been widely known for some time, but today's announcement makes it official.

PS: A little note to all you journalism majors out there in internet-land: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY!!! The moron who wrote this blurb for Reuters [or the dolt who cut and pasted it for go.com] didn't bother to mention that Goode represents the fifth district in the state of Virginia.

[mhking]

That's in the south central portion of the state, from Charlottesville on the north to Danville on the south.

[Corin Stormhands]

Other than the area surrounding the People's Republic of Charlottesville, that's a fairly conservative - although traditionally Democrat - area. (Remember, at one time Virginia actually had conservative Democrats)

[twigs]

Goode is a distant cousin of mine--one of those products of cousin marriages well known thoughout the south. I've watched his progress with interest. He comes from good stock and makes us all proud. (Probably most of us from the Franklin County, VA area are related to him in at least one line!)

[SuziQ]

I'm glad he switched, I only wish he'd been a SENATOR!

[07055]

Did he run as a RAT last time and then switch to Independent? If so, he is not much better than Jeffords, even if he did see the light.

When Phil Gramm switched parties, he resigned and ran as a Republican. That is the fairer way to do it.

[chemainus]

twigs...wow ...small world...The land that the Library and City Hall sits on was deeded by my forebears to the new Patrick County when it was formed from Henry.I have known Virgil since we were early teens going to Bar-b-ques ( tenderloin served by chefs in white coats) and Brunswick Stews put on by the likes of Ralph Daniels or one of the Hurts or Whiteheads or Frances Thompson or Charlie Hawkins. At that time we both would have preferred playing ball in some vacant field... now that slow roasted tenderloin has far more appeal (-; Virgil is one of two honorable Congressmen I have ever known personally. The other was Caldwell Butler. Virgil is absolutely a quality individual who represents "we the People" and not his own whims or aggrandizement. I do all I can for Virgil, including putting back up the posters every single a.m. last election that the influx of New Jerseyites tore down every night all over the Peoples Republic of Charlottesville LaLaLand. In thirty something years working in politics, at many levels, I had never seen signs torn down every single day until the last election. I saw these sweet imports viciously defacing all signs except their own libs. I was shocked.

[chemainus]

Danville is becoming "liberal" in that it caters only to the black community in nearly everything it does. You can see the results of this in the sliding education system to the caving in to libs on nearly every issue that comes up. In real terms, the population of Danville is less than it was right after the war , in 1948. The Winn Dixie Stores have the most extensive , forty feet or more, selection of chili powders, Mexican beans etc that I have ever seen, even in places like Dallas Tex.

[GraniteStateConservative]

He ran as an independent in 2000. No GOP candidate ran. He faced a black Democrat.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Before 2000, he was a Democrat who was so strong no Republican ran against him in 1998. He was a state senator and ran for a Democrat open seat in 1996. His GOP opponent was the last opponent (in 1994) of the Democrat who retired-- it was merely perfunctory opposition to Goode's ascension to the House.

[Redleg Duke]

To quote a Rat Lawyer: "Hey, a win's a win!"

[monkey]

Upon hearing the news, Trent Lott reportedly said:

"Virgil, that's a funny name for a white boy who comes from Virginia. What do they call you up there?"

I don't have to tell you Virgil's response.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Last night I was watching Brit Hume discussing the Congressional races with Michael Barone. They were saying that the current margin in the House is 222-210 with 2 Independents. No sooner did they finish up then the next story was the woman announcer (didn't remember her name) mentioning this story about Virgil Goode declaring GOP. So the previous story was immediately inaccurate :-).

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Seems you have seen much of the same stuff I have (in terms of working on campaigns). Suggestion: next time you're in the field, take along a video camera. Get the perps' activities on tape. Be sure to tape the license plate of the getaway car as well. Then contact the local Dummycrats and tell them you're going to take the tape to the police unless they get the illegal activity stopped.

[jwalsh07]

Goode is a distant cousin of mine

Then you come from pretty good blood lines. Virgil Goode is a fine American.

[Let's Roll]

First question I had was from where, Slick, and I was a journalism minor - ain't today's education system great? But I bet the Reuter's tent peg is sufficiently liberal though. And that's what really matters.

[linn37]

looks like a honorable switch over!congrats to our newest Republican congress critter!!

[Reagan is King]

conservative Democrats

Yes, this is quickly becoming an oxymoron. It seems like the only ones left are all over 50 years old. I'm sure there are exceptions but I'm having trouble thinking of any prominent ones I would put on the level of the "old" Democrats.

[Corin Stormhands]

I'm glad he switched, I only wish he'd been a SENATOR!

Hey, Virginia already has two GOP Senators. So, okay some days John Warner is questionable, but he is a Republican...

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Yup, my parents fit that description.