On November 18, former Virginia congressman Virgil Goode accepted an appointment to the Constitution Party’s national Executive Committee. See this story. Goode had been elected from the Charlottesville, Virginia area to the U.S. House as a Democrat in 1996, and re-elected as a Democrat in 1998. In 2000 he was re-elected as an independent candidate. In 2002, 2004, and 2006, he was re-elected as a Republican.
Goode has been somewhat involved with the Constitution Party ever since he left congress. He has spoken at several Constitution Party national meetings during the past two years.
The Goode appointment may be somewhat analogous to former Congressman Bob Barr’s appointment to the Libertarian Party National Committee a few years ago. Although Barr said when he was appointed that he had no interest in running for public office as a Libertarian, in early 2008 he changed his mind and did seek the Libertarian presidential nomination, and of course he became the nominee. Perhaps Virgil Goode will be the Constitution Party’s presidential nominee in 2012. Thanks to ThirdPartyDaily for the link.
Though not a member of, or strong supporter for the CP, the most logical 2012 ticket for them would be Tancredo-Goode. True, Tancredo lost his race for governor of Colorado but is probably better known nationally than Goode.
The point is for any 3rd party on the national level to be taken seriously, they have to have a ticket with credibility. Both Tancredo and Goode have this. No one can argue lack of govermental experience and both probably know how to “campaign” rather than use their candidacies to “educate” the voters on what the Constitution is supposed to mean.
But the real question, is Tancredo going to lay low, hoping the GOP in Colorado have come to their senses and “beckon him to come home?”
Politics DOES make strange bed-fellows.
While a ticket may be credible in our eyes, the media will still ignore such a ticket, even though it may have more governmental experience than a major party ticket.
Several third-party candidates for statewide office have had more experience than their major party opponents. The media ignored them. This was in spite of one of the media’s prior excuses for not covering a third party candidate: not enough experience.
Does Goode and/or Barr have any GOOD comments about the ANTI-Democracy gerrymander system — that got him/them elected ???
P.R. and App.V.
Political Observer is correct. A 3rd party ticket which is ignored by the media will not get very for. 3rd parties leaders (and their nominees) need to develop some anatomy when it comes to these debates and “force the issue” over being excluded.
As I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again. Unless and until the struggle for ballot access (and media exposure for the candidates) becomes a civil rights issue, then it is hopeless.
I agree that Tancredo and Goode would be the most logical choice for President He has a chance to gain a few EVs possibly out west and he should be able to get ballot-access in all 50 states + DC.
While a Tancredo-Goode ticket may appear good, as a CP member and supporter, I would have a hard time (in light of some of Tancredo’s stances in the federal arena) in supporting such. Now a Goode-Tancredo, or Goode-Baldwin (or better yet and even MORE unlikely a Paul-Goode) ticket I could handle I think.
Jordon,
Sounds like you’re looking for Mr. Goodebar. By the way, Virgil’s last name is properly pronounced Gude, as in dude. “The dude abides.”
Most people don’t know who this Goode is so why should the voters care?
To Jordon M. Greene. Here we go again. “as a CP member and supporter, I would have a hard time (in light of some of Tancredo’s stances in the federal arena) in supporting such.” Nosirree Bob. If Tancredo does not cross his “t’s” and dot his “i’s” on all the issues just like I do, “I ain’t gonna support him!”
Virgil Goode should have run again in 2010. He would have won. Yes, Alabama Independent the federal issues are important. Tom Tancredo supported the bailouts, the Patriot Act, and bombing Mecca so yes I wouldn’t support him as a presidential candidate.
Again, Timothy Yung, it’s the old “if you don’t cross your “t’s” and dot your “i’s” like I do I ain’t gonna vote for you.”
Yes, I supported the bailouts to GM, and some of the Patriot Act. Does that automatically make me a
Democrat?
Get real!
Yes, we should vote for people who follow the Constitution. Hey if Hitler was running you would likely tell me: it’s the old “if you don’t cross your “t’s” and dot your “i’s” like I do I ain’t gonna vote for you.”
Maybe you should get real.