Goode, Perriello utilize Web, social networking sites to reach constituents

They might not know it, but both 5th District congressional candidates are Libras, according to their social networking pages anyway.

Internet tools, beyond just official campaign Web sites, from YouTube to blogs, have enormously impacted this campaign season. Both incumbent Congressman Virgil Goode and Democratic challenger Tom Perriello have been utilizing the web this season, but Perriello’s people seem a bit more in tune to all the new media available.

“The beauty of the Internet is that it is so cheap and fast and easy,” Perriello communications director Jessica Barba said. “We have a humongous district and there’s no way we can reach every county and city (at once).”

Goode, R-5th, offers a solid meat and potatoes Web site. It’s got his stance on basic voter issues with the top three set as economic development, immigration and English as the official language of the U.S. The “latest news section” includes endorsements and pictures of campaign events in August.

Perriello’s site provides interested constituents a peek into the candidate’s schedule, links to statements Perriello has made, an updated “tithing tracker” marking the number of hours his campaign volunteers have donated to charity causes, as well as photos and videos of campaign events and his biography.

Barba said Perriello also has a Twitter feed, which allows him to update constituents by sending an updated status to his Facebook page.

Connecting with voters

If an interested voter wants to contact Goode, they are instructed to either send snail mail to Goode’s Rocky Mount office or call the campaign headquarters.

On his Web site through the U.S. Congress, Goode participates in the government’s “write your rep” service.

Perriello’s campaign is aggressively using the Internet for outreach. Barba sends out regular e-mail updates about Perriello’s remarks and reactions to events taking place in Washington, as well as endorsement updates.

Those interested in getting the word from Goode have to look a little harder.

On Wednesday, a representative from the Goode campaign said that their most recent newsletter had been sent out to interested parties and that it would be put up on the Web site shortly. As of Friday afternoon, the latest update was from August.

Getting personal

In addition to their official campaign sites, both Goode and Perriello are connected into social networking sites.

In his Facebook picture, Goode stands with his wife, Lucy, and his dog, Mr. B, and informs viewers that his favorite interest is baseball and he enjoys reading local histories about Virginia.

Perriello’s MySpace page offers a rundown of his educational history and a personal narrative, including his focus on America’s moral priorities. A viewer also can click to listen to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.

His Facebook page offers his contact information and video of him thanking supporters.

Political pundits agree that the pervasiveness of YouTube this campaign season has allowed voters to learn more about their candidates than ever before.

On the YouTube circuit, user “perrielloforcongress” has a marked stamp; a complete user profile, all his TV commercials, videos of events, rallies, statements, debates and information about his opponent.

Most of the YouTube videos highlighting Goode are independently posted satirical or negative digs at some of his past comments in interviews and comments on the House floor.

Candidates and their campaigns aren’t the only ones talking about themselves online.

“The other great thing about using Internet tools is that it’s a democracy,” Barba said. “It’s people expressing their views.”

A quick Facebook search of “Virgil Goode” will actually bring up a number of groups and pages related to the candidate. Most actually are not affiliated with any particular political campaign. His personal/professional page, “Virgil Goode Jr.,” has 504 supporters.

Tom Periello’s personal/professional page boasts 615 supporters.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.