Virgil Goode is a former Congressman and state legislator from Virginia who is now the presidential nominee of the Constitution Party in 2012. He was mentioned in today’s New York Magazine, which should serve as a buoy to the campaign’s effort to get on the ballot in that state.
Ever since Ralph Nader and his 1.6 percent share of the Florida vote was widely blamed for handing the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, Americans, their frustration with the two-party system notwithstanding, seem to have had shied away from supporting third-party presidential candidates. Unless Thomas Friedman manages to hypnotize Michael Bloomberg, that’s not likely to change this year. Nevertheless, Nader proved that, thanks to the wonders of our electoral college system, a third-party candidate only needs to tip one close state to alter the outcome of the entire race. And this year, the Constitution Party’s Virgil Goode could be the man to do it.
Earlier this month, a PPP poll showed Goode — who served two terms in Congress as a Democrat, followed by one as an independent, followed by three as a Republican — taking 5 percent of the vote in his home state of Virginia, and boosting Obama’s lead over Romney by four points. As PPP pollster Tom Jensen pointed out, “It seems unlikely Goode would ultimately get 5 percent,” but even a couple of points siphoned away from Romney could make a difference in what is shaping up to be one of 2012’s most pivotal swing states.
You can read the full article here.
I think all 3 will have VA
I spoke with him yesterday they already have 2,500 and once they get to 10,000 will turn those in to find out how many more they will need. He will be on the ballot unless something very odd happens in his state.
I think the odds are overwhelmingly high that Virgil Goode will be on the ballot in Virginia. He has enough money to hire paid circulators in Virginia.
The Green Party with Rosanne Barr as Prez, and Willie Nelson and VP have the best shot at making the ballot in Virginia.
Virgil Goode is personally a very nice person.
However, like the Greens, and the Libertarians…Virgil is about 18,000 signatures away from getting on the ballot…
Odds are against him making the ballot, even in his home state.
Virginia has a significant number of conservative Democrats, and after the recent “gay marraige” evolvement, I’d say many of those might be more attracted to Goode than to the GOP. And a vote away from Obama and to Goode only makes Romney one vote closer, not making Obama pull ahead. It’s either Goode or not vote, and never will I not vote.