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Follow us on TwitterGoode pulls out of Tuesday debate
U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode has pulled out of a scheduled debate with Democratic challenger Tom Perriello.
The televised debate was scheduled to take place Tuesday night at NBC29 in Charlottesville and would be broadcast on WVIR and WSET. Goode said he had a scheduling conflict.
The debate was deliberately scheduled on the same night as the next presidential debate, which will be held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., to increase viewership, according to the Perriello campaign.
Goode, R-5th, has agreed to debate Perriello one more time before the November election, but he won’t say where.
“There’s just no excuse for this,” Perriello said. “We’ve been working with NBC29 and WSET for over six months on scheduling and setting rules for the debate. I call on Congressman Goode to tell his constituents what other event would be more important than a televised debate for the benefit of the voters.”
Goode said in a telephone interview that he didn’t agree to the NBC29 debate.
“We’ve had two debates, one in Charlottesville and one in Danville,” Goode said. “Three is a good number of debates. I look forward to a third debate.”
Goode said he has had several debate requests and if someone wants to set up a debate, they need to talk to him, not his staff.
“I make the decision about debates,” Goode said.
Perriello, however, said the incumbent congressman is “running away” from the issues.
“The truth is Congressman Goode is just running away from his terrible record on the economy, gas prices, and so many other problems facing middle class families,” he said. “His constituents deserve the opportunity to hear him defend that record, and hear my vision for bringing jobs and economic relief back to Southside. This is cowardice, not leadership.”
Goode said Perriello is making a mountain out of a molehill.
“We’re going to do another debate,” the congressman said.
Neal Bennett, news director of WVIR, said late Wednesday that negotiations are ongoing to reschedule the televised debate.
Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.
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Reader Reactions
This may have been stated earlier, but Goode appears to be in the lead, so why should he debate? Perriello is the only one who stands to gain anything. Whether they debate again is anyone’s guess, but if I were Goode, I probably wouldn’t.
Anyone who believes this “New York Lawyer” stuff is either not listening or is part of Goode’s pathetic smear campaign. If Goode really believes it himself, why cancel the debate? Why not use the debate to force Perriello to explain his “New York” label? Here’s why - because Goode knows that his own ads are lies and distortions from beginning to end. That, and the fact that Goode has a dismal record to run on.
I worked with Perriello when he lived for a time in NY. His phone number was a VIRGINIA number. During the few years he spent there he was doing non-profit charitable work, much of it faith-based. He helped alleviate suffering in some of the most dangerous places around the world, including work with refugees in Darfur. His ability to move about on the world stage hardly makes him unfit to serve. You will remember that Thomas Jefferson served for a time in France. According to Goode’s logic, that would make him unfit to be called a Virginian.
Wake up, Virginia! If Goode really had a record to be proud of, he would not cancel a key debate. He would not have to run scare-ads and resort to manufacturing lies about his opponent. If Perriello is such a scary, “New York Lawyer” - why not stand toe to toe with him and let the voters decide?
It’s time to face facts. Lobbyists and special interests have taken to Goode like fleas to a dog. Bush and Cheney have taken him for granted, and the 5th district has been hoodwinked into thinking that if Goode sends them a note on their birthday, that he is also voting in their best interests. The padlocked factories, the broken economy, the crazy-high gas prices - all are NOTES from VIRGIL - notes from his voting pen. The fifth district deserves better than to be ill-served, and then lied to in smear ads about someone who has stepped up and pledged a clean campaign, great ideas, and a culture of service.
As voters, we teach our elected officials how to treat us. If we buy into their lies, we get what we deserve… Let’s wake up - demand that Goode debate Perriello on television - and trust voters to decide.
Get your nose out of Perriello sex life, you pervert!
Lose a another debate? johnster, you are living in a world of your owm. After the Danville debate, some of Virgil’s “supporters” were placing Perriello stickers over the Goode stickers on their cars.
You barely disguised innuendo is just what I would expect from Goode himself, who has been unable to defend his own record. How is this one…“Would you still vote for Virgil if you knew he fathered a hispanic baby?“
He screeches about illegals, then votes against punishing companies that knowingly hire them. Oh, those companies are Virgil’s campaign donors.
Virgil Goode is far better than Perriello. Perriello would just loose another debate anyway. He should be working on his VA Bar exam. At least then he could use his law degree here. He really could use the practice. Could someone tell me why Perriello is not married or if he has a girlfriend? I cannot seem to find him in a picture with a woman other than his mother. A family is important when it comes to a political figure.
davidl, Thank you for being objective. While we do not see eye to eye on political views. I find I respect you very much!
“Running away from his record on economy and gas prices”
Typical liberal politician. Spreading lies. Who has controlled the purse strings the last two years? Who has run the oversight committees over finance? DEMOCRATS!! Barney Frank…Nancy Pelosi…. Who want more taxes on gas to “save the environment” ...you guessed it Democrats. Tom will be just like his good friends Barney and Nancy. Virgil does not need to defend his record..In fact we need more independant thinkers like him in Washington.
Actually davidl, If you are admitted to the Bar in NY, you can practise in many other states. Whether Perriello ever took the VA Bar exam is still up in the air. johnster never backed up his claim with any proof.
I would die defending your right to vote for Goode. I am pleased you are part of the political process.
Yep…Goodeisms as I suspected. Perriello is more “centrist” than left.
http://www.perrielloforcongress.com/issues.html
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