Perriello calls Goode ad ‘childish’

By Sarah Arkin
Media General News Service
Published: September 30, 2008

Democrat Tom Perriello’s campaign says a new television attack ad sponsored by Congressman Virgil Goode is inaccurate.

In the television ad, an announcer says that Perriello is against offshore drilling and quotes a June 19 article from the Danville Register & Bee, stating Perriello said, “Drilling is a 2-cent solution to a $4 problem.”

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The Perriello campaign points out that the entire quote reads: “I support more drilling as one piece of a much bolder strategy for relief. But those who think drilling alone will make a dent in prices are offering a 2-cent solution to a $4 problem.”

Goode has defended the ad.

“The ad is correct,” he said Monday in a written statement. “Mr. Perriello has said in debates and statements that he disagrees with my position of being for drilling in ANWR in Alaska.

“It is clear that I am more pro-drill than Perriello. Perriello needs to adopt the Goode position on drilling and make it a focal point of the campaign.”

Perriello, who is hoping to unseat Goode in the 5th District House race, has said in newspaper articles and debates that he supports drilling as part of a larger solution. Perriello also has said he supports more focus on developing alternative energy sources.

“This is the kind of childish politics we’ve seen from both parties from the past 20 years that appeals to fear,” Perriello said Monday before introducing former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe at a town hall meeting in Danville.

The ad also displays a darkened picture of Perriello.