Virgil Goode’s No-Show; Day 5

From the Perriello Campaign:

DebateGate Day 5 – Perriello Challenges Goode; Tucker Watkins Avoids Responsibility

October 5, 2008—Ivy, VA—Tom Perriello, Democratic candidate for the fifth district, released a web video today challenging Rep. Virgil Goode to show up to the televised debate on October 7 that has been on the calendar for over six months. The video was shot at Hampden-Sydney College, another institution that has been trying in vain for months to schedule a debate between the two candidates. The video can be viewed here.

Yesterday at Old Farm Day in Fluvanna County, Goode campaign manager Tucker Watkins was asked about the debate and replied that there was no “mix-up” on the schedule, but that “Virgil had a conflict,” which has now been reported to be a fundraiser. Watch Mr. Watkins avoid all responsibility here.

It remains to be seen when a debate will happen, but i would bet that Since Congressman Goode has said he would debate one more time, my money is on the Hampden-Sydney debate.

Goode pulled this same bait-and-switch in 2006, when he refused to show up at a debate, and Al Weed set up an empty chair for Mr. Goode. I am not sure why Goode doesn’t want to debate, but it could have something to do with his votes on various bills this year.

I hope there is at least one debate that can be seen over most of the district on television. The voters deserve it, Tom Perriello deserves to be heard, and most importantly, that’s his job to prove he should be re-hired.