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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
Look on Periellos own site he is a member of the NY bar. Obviously he is not intelligent enough to pass the VA bar or he would not be running without that. He does not care for VA. Otherwise he would be able to practice law here which he cannot.He is a guest speaker at UVA. Rock what warlord did he prosecute? Being over there proves nothing. I know wherehe has been just like Obama was working in Southside Chicago and look what a fine place that is? Want to move there? Would you want to live in Sierra Leone? Not me. Good intentions do not make a person worthy of office. He is way too left for me.
Sierra Leone (blood diamonds ring a bell?). He also worked with the amputees there. You obviously have never met the man or spoken to him or shaken his hand. Perriello is a warm human being who truly cares about people.
hummmm….do you have proof that Perriello could not pass the VA Bar exam, or are you spouting Goodeisms?
rockncsc you must be kidding. VA needs Perriello like it needs higher taxes and more debt. What Warlord did HE prosecute and where? We do not need his help. He cannot help us too much as a lawyer here since he cannot practice. But he maybe useful chasing an ambulance in NY. Why can he not pass the bar in VA? He comes up lacking. I guess this is like Biden telling that guy in a wheelchair to stand up.
Perriello has lived all the world, helping the poor and the oppressed while prosecuting warlords. Now he has come home to help us. Virginia needs you, Tom!
davidl, I mean no offense sir, I should have said “makes one and inbred”.
I lived in Europe for a brief time before moving back to the Commonwealth. I do not recall giving up my heritage. Living in NY does not make one a “yankee” that is the term you used, anymore than never having travelled makes you an inbred.
The Democrats would hold a majority in the Senate if Joe Lieberman was a Dem, he is not, he is a conservative independant. The vice pres. well…do we really need to go there?
it is 49-49-2 in the Senate.
“as i recall the democrats control the house and senate so they must be playing the music. invest wisely”
This was YOUR post was it not?
Goode would need subtitles during the debate because of all those marbles in his mouth.
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