Armed with polling that shows Mitt Romney will lose in Virginia, and likely the presidency as a result, if former Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode remains in the race, MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell urged the Constitution Party candidate to stand fast.
"We need you in Virginia in this race," he cheered at the end of an interview with Goode Tuesday night. He compared Goode to 1992's Ross Perot, who helped Bill Clinton beat former President George H.W. Bush, and Ralph Nader whose showing in Florida in 2000 helped former President George W. Bush beat former Vice President Al Gore.
The news host highlighted a recent poll that found Goode pulled 4 percent of the Virginia vote, mostly from Romney. In the poll, President Obama bested Romney 50 percent to 42 percent.
Goode, a Richmond native, revealed that he expects to be on the ballot in "25-30" states and will be eligible as a write-in candidate "in at least" 40 states. Goode said he expects to do well in Ohio, another must-win state for Romney, and in Nevada where he recently held three events. He also said he expects to draw Obama votes.
The GOP has come down hard on his candidacy. Donald Trump has led the attacks, prompting snickers from O'Donnell. "If Donald Trump is against you, I'm with ya," he told Goode.
