Dear George,

Your site's visitors might be interested to know that I filed papers last week formally to become a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 5th District in 2004.

I have been spending a few days a week visiting throughout the extensive area of the District, testing the waters for support. So far, the reaction has been very good and each day we are able to identify additional of the incumbent's vulnerabilities.

While it is much too early to know what will be the salient issues sixteen months from now, it is clear, from the way that the national campaigns are shaping up, that health coverage, national security, trade and the economy will be issues that matter to folks in this District.

On health care, for example, four of the national Democratic contenders have unveiled serious health financing plans that, each in their own way, promise significant improvement. The Administration, on the other hand, is touting Medicare "reform" that will do much to help the bottom lines of the drug companies, and little to help the rest of us on the bottom. There are even TV ads running that praise Mr. Goode for his support of this plan, darling of the most profitable of America's industries.

Every day Mr. Goode's votes in Congress show how far out of touch he is with the needs of people in our District.

We have put in place the core of a dynamic campaign organization led by John Baker, our Issues Director. Helping him out are Harry Landers, Treasurer; Dr. Alan Dugger, Research Director; Diana Abbott, Volunteer Coordinator; and Waldo Jacquith, Field Operations and Webmaster. Our volunteers are meeting every other Friday (May 30th is the next get-together) and we've plenty for them do.

To maintain the momentum, and to build the organization needed to beat Virgil Goode, both dollars and volunteers are needed, now and in significant numbers. I may be reached at aweed1@juno.com or at POB 608, Lovingston, VA 22949.

Best regards,

Al Weed (electronic mail, May 27, 2003)