George,

With some trepidation, I feel that I must respond to the concern that there is a potential party switcher among the candidates for the 25th Senate seat.These charges have not always named me, but clearly they have been aimed in my direction. It is also clear that those making these charges do not know me, or even, anyone who does know me.

The Democratic Party that I proudly belong to is not a debating society, content to satisfy the egos of its members by simply making noise; it is a pragmatic party of government. It is the party that really does represent the interests of the majority of the people, that knows it cannot fulfill its goal of bringing all Virginians, and all Americans into the promise of opportunity, until it has its hands on the levers of power. With the election of a Governer, we are only one-third of the way there. People who know me know that there is no one who is working harder to return Democrats to the majority in both the Senate and the House.

The truth of the matter is that we cannot be the majority party unless we broaden the tent, and present a message the speaks to voters in urban, surburban and rural Virginia. I have and will continue to reach out and grow this party, but I'm not going anywhere. I am a Democrat.

People that know me best will tell you that I think for myself, but they will also tell you I am a team player. I represent people. Some are Democrats, some are not. The needs, concerns, dreams, and desires of the people I represent drive my personal agenda. That will not change if I earn the opportunity to serve in the state Senate.

But talk to the people that know me best.Talk to my wife. Her name is Pam Deeds. Talk to other members of the House caucus-Dick Cranwell, Jerrauld Jones, Chip Woodrum, Karen Darner, Ken Melvin, Brian Moran, or others. Talk to Democrats in the Senate-Toddy Puller, Louise Lucas, Phil Puckett, Leslie Byrne. No one works harder to elect Democrats, or to restore what I know to be rightfully ours.

I really do believe that there more of us than there are of them. I believe that if we remember where we came from, that we are the Party of the people, and not a elite club, and if we work hard, we will once again be the majority, and be in a position to deliver the sort of government that meets the needs of all the people. I intend to be in that Democratic majority.

Creigh Deeds (electronic mail, November 9, 2001).