October 4, 2008

Republicans rallied the base at an event Saturday that's become an annual tradition in Greene County.

It's the twenty-ninth year Republicans have hosted this pig roast in Virginia. They say this is the biggest turnout they've had in years.

"The best way to get the folks in Greene County to get with you is to get a pig on the spit and get a good bluegrass band playing," said Gary Lowe, Chair of the Greene County GOP.

It was a day for bluegrass and barbecue for the GOP in Virginia Saturday, but what's really got these folks fired up is the upcoming elections.

"The debates are firing up both sides. More persons, more vehicles, and more involvement here today than I've ever seen," said Virgil Goode, 5th District Congressional Incumbent.

Former governor and senate hopeful Jim Gilmore took a break from the action after debating Friday, but the fifth district incumbent Virgil Goode got the crowd going. He explained why he voted against President Bush's proposed $700 billion bailout plan in Congress Friday.

"I don't think the tax payers of the the United States should be on the hook for $700 billion when there were alternatives that would have increased the capital assets of U.S. banks without leaving the taxpayer holding the bag," said Rep. Goode.

Goode also defended his campaign's decision to air a controversial ad against Democrat challenger Tom Perriello.

"The picture used in the ad was used from a website that was either by Perriello or promoting Perriello," remarked Goode. "It was a picture that he used from an Afghanistan discussion."

And with elections just one month away, Republicans in Greene County stay confident.

"Folks are just excited about getting this ticket of Sarah Palin and John McCain elected to the White House," said Gary Lowe.

Republicans are hopeful, but they face an uphill battle in the Senate race so far. After Friday's debate, the latest polls say former governor Mark Warner is leading Gilmore by 26 points.