Perriello promises new leadership for congress

 

By TOM McLAUGHLIN

News & Record Staff

Tom Perriello says he is running for Congress as part of a new generation of leadership that is focused on getting things done. The Yale-educated lawyer, Albemarle County native and Fifth District Democratic nominee has spent much of his adult life working as a negotiator, peace activist and national security analyst in war-torn areas of the world such as Sierra Leone, Darfur and Afghanistan. Now he is turning his attention back home, seeking a new platform for progressive politics as a member of the U.S. Congress. Noting the view of many in his generation — Perriello is 33 — that "politics is the place where good ideas go to die," Perriello nevertheless believes the political arena is too important to write off and that he can deliver change in the Fifth District. "I think this is about a movement," Perriello said in an interview held in town last Thursday. "The response this year goes beyond any one

person and any one personality. I think people are daring to believe in a different kind of politics." Perriello describes himself as someone willing to roll up his sleeves, work 20 hour days, listen to all sides and deliver benefits to citizens

of the Fifth District, especially those who live in the economically distressed southern regions. Although his career has put him in the midst of seemingly intractable conflicts in Africa and Central Asia, Perriello says the experience offers lessons for back home and will make him an effective representative for the Fifth. "Every problem I've seen that seemed unsolvable, it really wasn't, [it's that] the problem was a lack of political will," he said. Perriello, who is running against incumbent Republican Congressman Virgil Goode, already has raised $600,000 in his campaign. The

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently cited the Fifth District as a target race, which could bring additional resources from the national party, especially if polls show Perriello within striking distance of Goode in the fall. To get there, however, Perriello understands that he must make the case that Goode has not been a part of the solution to the Fifth District's problems. "I think there's a hunger for a new generation of leadership, that puts

results ahead of partisanship," said Perriello. Congress is "only going to be part of the solution if you get people in there who will do some good." He called Goode "one of the least effective members" of Congress who

doesn't put in the long days needed to achieve results for his district. Perriello praised Goode's outreach and his penchant for appearing at local events but suggested the incumbent spends more time on the road in his district than working in Washington to get things done. As an example, Perriello said the Fifth District should be at the forefront of the development of alternative energy sources such as biofuels. "I think we have one of the best districts in the country for the next generation of biofuels" such as cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass, wood, and agricultural by-products, Perriello said. "These jobs are being created, they're just not being created here because of a lack of leadership. "While Congressman Goode has talked about this, he has a zero percent record on clean energy issues," added Perriello, who promised to "roll out" a jobs-and-economic development plan at the conclusion of his

ongoing listening tour of the Fifth District. Perriello also vowed to do more to promote education, college

affordability and work training for students and adults so places like the Fifth District can be more competitive in the global economy. Perriello acknowledged that U.S. manufacturing jobs are migrating to places like India and China as part of an economic race to the bottom of the barrel. But a less-discussed aspect of the problem, he said, is

that other countries have made themselves more economically attractive by investing in such things as healthcare, job training, infrastructure and education, leaving Americans behind in some areas. Congress does not spend wisely on schools, infrastructure and job training, Perriello claimed. He also faulted Congress for failing to make healthcare universal and more affordable. And business incentives too often are tailored towards "big box" retail chains, often at the expense of small businesses, which account for the overwhelming number of jobs in the Fifth District.

"We've had politicians who think we're one Wal-Mart away from solving our problem. It's not the case," Perriello said. Perriello advocates an economic development strategy built around improving the livability of communities, restoring downtowns, providing educational opportunities and job training and making sure that people

who work can earn a living wage. "Most people, if they're offered a pathway out of poverty, by having

the opportunity to work hard and make a living, they will take that path," said Perriello. Conversely, if "people working hard and playing by the rules" can't seem to get ahead, people "won't take that path," he added.

Repeatedly at the national and statewide level, said Perriello, it's been Democrats who've cleaned up after the excesses of Republican rule. He cited Mark Warner's performance as governor after Republican Jim

Gilmore left office with the state's finances in shambles, and said the same thing will have to happen following the debt-ridden administration of President George Bush. Perriello also said Democrats will take the lead in extricating America from Iraq, while doing so in a responsible manner. Although he does not advocate an immediate pullout, Perriello said Congress and the White House need to quickly develop a political strategy in Iraq that will

end U.S. involvement "in the biggest national security disaster in American history. "And it's probably going to be Democrats who come in and clean things up," he added. At home, Perriello said Republicans have promoted a culture of greed and unbridled self-interest that runs counter to his own deep beliefs as a Christian. "People see something deeply wrong with our corporate and political leadership," citing a litany of outrages from official government corruption to influence peddling to financial excesses which have contributed to a crisis in financial markets. Perriello said he and many others — including Republicans and independents — want to end the

every-man-for-himself mentality by promoting a moral vision based on justice and fairness for all. "I believe everybody has to take responsibility for themselves, but they also have to have their neighbor's back, because at the end of the day we're all going to rise and fall together," said Perriello. While the greed-is-good philosophy may benefit people at the top rungs of society, it has done nothing for areas like the Fifth District, he said. "They [Republican leaders] seem to care about Wall Street more than Main Street. It's a bit of a cheap shot, but I really do think that's where their hearts lie," said Perriello. Perriello has garnered attention nationally as a Democrat with close

ties to evangelical Christian groups, who he describes as "wonderful allies" in the effort to end genocide in Darfur and end dictatorships in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Among his experieces, Perriello was named special advisor and spokesperson for the International Prosecutor when the Liberian dictator Charles Taylor was forced from power. He later helped found FaithfulAmerica.org and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, which bring together faith communities to promote children’s health care, a higher minimum wage, environmental stewardship, and change in U.S. policy in Iraq. Perriello said he's optimistic of gaining the support of voters who traditionally have backed Republicans, and said he is building a grassroots campaign on a scale never been seen before in the Fifth

District. The campaign already has opened field offices in Danville, Franklin County and Charlottesville.

"The response has been overwhelming," he said. Perriello visited Halifax County last Thursday to speak to the Halifax County Democratic Committee that evening. He will make a similar visit to Charlotte County today.