I’m not making him out to be “the benefactor of a very complicated political dynamic” — the many media outlets that I quoted were doing so, based on what they were told by leaders of the Republican Party. If you disagree with them, go for it, but this isn’t something that I’ve just invented here. :)

You’re making Virgil out to be the benefactor of a very complicated political dynamic that involves many ambitious people. That’s…how do you say…conspiratorial? Absurd?

Your sleuthing and tenacity are quite good, and that’s why I read your blog. I want your assumptions to be more true-to-life.

In 2001, Albemarle went for Bush by five points. But what I had in mind when I wrote that was less in terms of electoral results and more in terms of who has the money. Albemarle County is home to some of the wealthiest Republicans in the Fifth District. Expanding the Fifth to include northern Albemarle did wonders for Rep. Goode’s bank account. Including Greene County — no money, but lots o’ Republicans — didn’t hurt, either.

Virgil doesn’t seek power, per se. If he did, he wouldn’t escape DC every second he has the chance. He wouldn’t waste/spend many hours a day personally reading constituent mail. Virgil does seek re-election, as does any politician with a survival instinct. A sweet committee assignment or the like is a great way to solidify/reward your base, and thus get re-elected. Criticizing him for that really sounds like sour grapes.

A major issue that you did touch on was the prospect of running against Boucher, which must have horrified him. He also must have been concerned that he might not have survived a primary challenge in early 2000. Had Emily Couric lived and run, she would’ve fared quite well with a Cville Dem base still furious over Virgil’s impeachment vote. At any rate, the prospect of such a challenge was probably not worth it to him.

You are wrong to say that the 2001 redistricting left his seat “friendlier than ever”. The main thrust of that redistricting was to make the 4th safe for Randy Forbes, partially at Virgil’s expense (he absorbed half of Brunswick). And that you describe Albemarle County as “conservative” makes me wonder what you’d call Halifax County. I suppose it’s a relative term; Albemarle is the second- or third- *least* conservative jurisdiction in the 5th.

The major thing that most of his detractors forget is that – aside from his reputation for integrity – Virgils really, really smart and is a great tactician. Behind that aw-shucks accent lies a Phi Beta Kappa graduate and astute politician. On most issues, he was out of sync with the DNC, but still in sync with some elements of DPVA. Ironically, he supported affirmative action for the most part, both as a personal thing (he saw firsthand segregation from his father’s experience in the Byrd Machine) and his district (the 5th is heavily black). His decision to leave the party in 2000 and go independent caused quite a tiff in the 5th CD committee and several staffers quit. His move full bore into the GOP was protracted (it took 4-5 years), and it was not a quick-change act. He actually considered the effect of his move on the future (and his ability to financially support) of his friends on the Democratic side of the GA, like Roscoe Reynolds.

As for being a turncoat, Virgil was a major supporter of the YD’s and his other Dem colleagues in and around the Commonwealth when he was party member. Still, he caught hell for years for being out of step on issues like tobacco, gun rights and abortion, especially from the Northern Virginians and the Charlottesville crowd. As such, when the time came, he went with where he felt most comfortable – the GOP.

– Conaway

Seriously, you are doing GREAT work on this; keep it up. And, if they ever start a Pulitzer Prize for investigative blogging, I hereby nominate you for your series on Goode. (Not kidding!!)

Good article though. I had forgotten about much of what you dug up. Our congressional district chairman enjoys the perception that he deserves the credit for bringing Virgil into the party (which I think is bunk) The approps. seat was a big deal to him, I can have no doubt Waldo, but Virgil’s leaving the Democratic party was more than smooth deals in smoke filled rooms. It was the combination of events that formed the perfect storm. Boucher? maybe to sure. Democratic party becoming more and more liberal in VA? definately a reason. approps seat? sure, ok. lots of reasons out there Waldo. None of them demonic. taking an appops seat for the betterment of his district is good politics.