Goode, Perriello debate issues

While Republican Incumbent Congressman Virgil Goode and Democratic challenger Tom Perriello appear to agree on the issues that are key to the 5th District, but they have different plans for how to handle them.

Goode, R-5th, and Perriello entertained questions on economic development, energy, national security and immigration Wednesday night at a forum sponsored by the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and the Danville Register & Bee at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.

Both candidates said they support the idea of farmshoring, a term used to describe sending work from government or businesses in large cities to rural communities rather than to foreign counties.

Goode said he has always worked to bring jobs to the 5th District, particularly to Southside, and talked about a recent announcement that NextGen Aeronautics is opening a research facility in Danville. Goode also said in the last quarter of 2007, Danville had more new jobs than any other city its size in the country.

Perriello said there are many opportunities in Danville “now that the corner has been turned” in its economy, and credited its leadership and the cooperation between the city and Pittsylvania County with making it possible. The Charlottesville Democrat said he has a seven-point plan for economic development in Southside that includes focusing on creating a highly trained, drug-free work force.

Perriello said earmarks, which are funds allocated out of discretionary funds for specific projects and don’t go through the normal process of allocating funds, need to be used to the best interest of the area and that Goode has been ineffective in getting the district everything it needs.

The Rocky Mount Republican countered that his votes for earmarks have brought more than $20 million to the Institute alone, plus millions more to other Southside projects. Goode did add that he has and will vote for a moratorium on earmarks, but until that happens he’ll vote for ones that benefit the community.

Regarding energy, both candidates said they support various offshore drilling while working on alternative fuels. They do have differences of opinion on how the process should be handled, but basically agree that without energy independence, the nation’s economy will suffer.

When it comes to national security, Goode said a border fence along the Mexican border would keep out illegal immigrants and terrorists. He also said the United States needs to continue to maintain a top-flight military.

Perriello said the United States needs to invest more in its intelligence community and urged young Americans to learn the languages of the Middle East and join the CIA. He also said the wasteful spending of defense contractors must be curtailed.

As far as immigration, Perriello said the issue needs to be taken seriously because American businesses are losing money when their competitors use illegal immigrants. He said employers need to be held responsible for hiring illegal immigrants and that once jobs start to disappear, the illegal immigrants will “self-deport.”

Goode said the costs to Americans are huge and one rule he would like to see changed applies to what he calls “anchor babies” — babies born to illegal immigrants in this country automatically become American citizens eligible for all of the benefits of citizenry, including food stamps, Medicare and other programs.

In his closing remarks, Perriello said little is being done to improve current conditions by the people in charge and he can get things done.

“I’m proud to be part of a new kind of politics,” Perriello said.

Goode said he has supported Southside and its residents during his many years of service.

“I’ve brought home the bacon and served Danville and Southside,” Goode said.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.