Sam Rasoul Secures Nomination - VA-06

Candidate Sam Rasoul, D-VA-06

Local delegates gathered for the 6th Congressional District Democratic Convention in Lexington on Saturday, May 24th. With a final stamp of approval, local Democrats ensured that Sam Rasoul locked up the nomination for the House of Representatives race against long-term incumbent Bob Goodlatte.

While local newspaper coverage was scant, the citizen-journalists of the blogosphere stepped up to provide great coverage.

Cliff Garstang, at Cobalt6, provides a good summary of the convention and the full text of Bill Bestpitch's stirring nomination speech. Bill is the First Vice-Chair of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee and former member of the Roanoke City Council.

Coarse Cracked Corn wryly noted the scarcity of local media coverage. Always observant, CCC provides some kernels on the convention details.

Augusta Free Press also provided interesting audio webcasts of Sam Rasoul's address at the convo and a speech by gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran.

At least the Roanoke Times devoted some ink to this determined campaign. It will be a tough road ahead for this grass-roots "common man", to get much attention while running against a special interest-fuled incumbent.

Rasoul raised $131,831 through the end of March, and after spending a little
more than half of that has $61,731 left in cash on hand. Goodlatte, meanwhile,
raised $733,653 -- more than five times more than Rasoul -- and has nearly $1.5
million to spend on the race.

6th District Dems seemed to be energized for the tough battle ahead. I suspect that Bob Goodlatte's ears were burning. The intensifying focus on Goodlatte's special interest fund raising, with large PACs and major business contributors, further exacerbates the perception that he has lost touch with needs of the middle class in the 6th District over the last 16 years in Washington.

Tagline from the convention:

" When Sam Rasoul gets to Washington, he'll be working for us!"

Best Bumper Sticker -- David vs. Goliath Theme:

"$1.5 Million. Sam... make Bob spend ALL of it!"