A Call from Al Weed

I got a call last night from Al Weed, who as many of you know is trying to unseat Virgil Goode in Virginia's 5th District.  He wanted money--no surprise--but when I told him I had none to contribute at the moment, he kept the conversation going.

Al is an impressive candidate.  He's articulate and candid--like Dean--and is prepared to work his heart out in this campaign.  As near as I can tell, he's worked hard his whole life.  He worked his way into Yale (Bulldog! bulldog! Bow wow wow!), left it for the Army, then completed his degree on the GI Bill.  His resume includes engineering and viticulture.  You can read more here.

Anyway, Al and I spoke for several more minutes, and we got to talking about the Dean Dozen.  He's angling for a spot in the next dozen, and he said that, if I have no money to spare right now, I could still make a difference by emailing DFA and nominating him.  I'm headed there right after this diary to make that nomination, and I also encourage you all to give Al a look.  

There are many reasons to support Al.  A key reason, it seems to me, is that we have a chance to make the 5th District a bellwether for the state.  Mark Warner won the 2001 gubernatorial race in part by wooing this part of the state, which includes a huge chunk of rural "Southside" Virginia.  If we can turn the 5th District into a battleground between Al Weed and Virgil Goode, I'm convinced we'll make Virginia a battleground for Bush and Kerry.  I imagine a big story in a Sunday Washington Post this October about how Goode is fighting to protect his seat, how the race is affecting the presidential contest in Virginia, and how its closeness speaks to Bush's problems nationwide.

By the way, there'll be no tip jar for this diary.  If you liked it, please give Al Weed a nickel.