Richards, Goode focus on local issues

In an election year in which national issues loom large, the candidates for Virginia's 5th Congressional District say they are concentrating on local problems.

Both Congressman Virgil Goode, a Republican, and his Democratic opponent Meredith Richards, cite local issues as the most important focuses of their campaigns.

Goode, who still holds a commanding lead in the race, said constituents most frequently ask him about their concerns with unemployment in the district.

"Many are concerned about transfer of manufacturing jobs to foreign countries," Goode said. He wants to combat unemployment by "opposing trade legislation that results in the loss of jobs in the 5th District to foreign countries."

Richards' Communications Director Dave Sagarin agreed that unemployment in the district is an important issue but disagreed with Goode on how to address it.

"Unemployment is a major issue, but it's [the loss of manufacturing jobs to foreign countries that] already happened in large part," Sagarin said. "It's easy to bemoan it, but the thing to do is to figure out what to do now."

Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said concern for local issues is par for the political course.

"Everybody's concerned about that bridge getting built or how their local university is doing," Sabato said. "Naturally, campaigns focus on local issues because that's what voters care about."

Aaron Liebowitz, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia, reiterated the importance of local issues.

"It's the old adage; all politics is local," Liebowitz said. "There have been very few 'national' elections in my memory."

He added, however, that there have been instances where national issues have dominated congressional races.

"1994 is an example that sticks in my mind," he said. "When Contract with America was introduced it was dramatic -- races that weren't races became races instantly and dramatically."

Contract with America was a Republican campaign agenda that quickly overshadowed local issues around the country, and ultimately led to a Republican-controlled House and Senate.

This election year, the possibility that national issues could decide congressional races still remains, Liebowitz said.

"The situation is volatile, it changes daily" he added. "In a volatile situation, one day's news can dramatically impact an election."

National issues are very important to the Democrats in this election cycle as they work to regain control of the House.

"Democrats are searching for the magic seven -- the seven seats they need to take control of the house," Sabato said. "They are concentrated on seats outside of Virginia, but they hope to get a big election day surprise in the 5th District or another Virginia district. Odds are they won't, but surprises do happen."

Sabato said he did consider a shift in focus from local to national issues likely.

"It is possible, but two weeks out we haven't detected one," he said.

Healthcare and the possible war with Iraq are national concerns that could affect the 5th District race.

Richards' and Goode's positions on these issues are very similar. Both candidates endorse affordable prescription drugs for seniors and say they approve of the current administration's Iraq policy.

It is thus their similarities on national issues that ensure their differences on local issues will be in the forefront, Liebowitz said.

"It's the independent non-national issues that provide clarity between the two candidates," he said.

The polls seem to suggest that Goode will retain his seat.

Congressional Quarterly has rated the 5th District a "safe Republican" race.

According to the Quarterly, safe Republican races are defined as those races where "the Republican nominee is/will be a strong favorite, and an upset is virtually impossible."

But Carolyn Fiddler, the Virginia Democratic Party's communications director, remained hopeful about her candidate's chances.

"The campaign that she's run demonstrates that she understands the issues and would best represent the district," Fiddler said. "We still hope she'll win."

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