Voters Deserve a Debate in the Fifth District

The News & Advance
Published: October 3, 2008

Several weeks ago, we took Democrat Mark Warner to the proverbial woodshed when he tried to avoid a debate with Republican Jim Gilmore, his opponent in the U.S. Senate race.

Warner, sitting on a double-digit lead in the polls and on top of a pile of money in the bank, bowed out of a live debate that would have been televised across the state, evidently afraid the desperate Gilmore would bloody his nose in front of the voters.

Eventually, Warner came to his senses, and last night’s statewide debate originating from Roanoke was the result. Voters, who deserve the opportunity to hear their candidates speak on the issues, were the winners.

Well, now it’s Fifth District Republican incumbent Virgil Goode who’s ducked out of a long-standing debate with his Democratic challenger, Tom Perriello.

Let’s head out back to the woodshed, Mr. Goode.

The NBC affiliate in Charlottesville, according to Media General News Service, had been working with representatives of both campaigns for several months and thought the Oct. 7 debate was a go. The station had blocked off time on its schedule for the event and was all prepared. Locally, WSET was scheduled to pick up the broadcast.

At the last minute, however, the congressman informed the news director of the Charlottesville station he wouldn’t show up: A fundraiser was on the schedule for Tuesday night, and that took precedence.

Goode and Perriello have held face-to-face events throughout the district. They’ve all been local events, not district-wide debates. The Oct. 7 debate, which would have been broadcast from Charlottesville, would have been the first debate to be televised throughout the district. Voters from Schuyler in Nelson County to Virgilina in Halifax County, from Chatham in Pittsylvania to Rocky Mount in Franklin would have had the opportunity to see their veteran congressman and his challenger square off on the important issues facing this nation.

But, unless Rep. Goode changes his mind, the voters of the Fifth District won’t have that opportunity. And that’s a shame.

Goode campaign officials said they were trying to reschedule and find a good date for a televised debate, but time is growing short. There are only four weeks until Election Day.

A debate is an opportunity for voters to see their representatives and their would-be representatives in action. It’s as American as mom and apple pie.

Mr. Goode is selling his constituents short by denying them such an opportunity.

The residents of the Fifth District deserve better.