Below The Beltway

Mark Warner’s campaign said today that it would not agree to attend the only debate with Jim Gilmore that would be broadcast statewide:

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) will not participate in the only U.S. Senate debate this fall that was to be televised statewide.

Warner’s opponent, former governor James S. Gilmore, had agreed to participate in the debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Virginia.

“Mark Warner apparently does not want the people of Virginia to have an opportunity to understand clearly where he stands on the issues,” Gilmore said in a statement. “I believe the people of Virginia have a right to see and hear candidates for public office discuss the issues.”

Warner and Gilmore participated in their first debate last month at the Homestead Resort but it was not televised and only a few hundred people traveled to western Virginia to watch it. The two have agreed to a Sept. 18 debate, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, that will be televised locally in Northern Virginia.

Kevin Hall, Warner’s spokesman, said Warner had a scheduling conflict but will consider other debates.

“Governor Warner certainly respects the good work done by the League of Women Voters and we regret that we were not able to commit to their proposal,” Hall said.

It’s unclear if this is really a scheduling issue, or if Warner has decided to limit the debates in this race in order not to give Jim Gilmore the free media time he no doubt craves.
In either case, Rick Sincere reports that Libertarian Party Senate Candidate William Redpath is willing to step in where Warner fears to tread:

On Thursday, the League of Women Voters of Virginia announced that it will not hold its customary senatorial debate this year because former Governor Mark Warner will not participate. William Redpath, Libertarian Candidate for US Senate in Virginia, calls for the debate to be held anyway and says he will debate Gilmore despite Warner’s refusal.

Redpath said on Thursday, “I know Mark Warner is leading in the polls, but I find his decision not to debate Jim Gilmore curious. The recent history of politicians who refuse to debate their opponents in Virginia is that of defeat.”

(…)

“There are so many vital issues that need to be fully aired for voters of the Commonwealth, that I ask the League of Women Voters to hold their debate anyway. I would certainly be there and would debate former Governor Gilmore on any topic that is germane to the U.S. Senate race in Virginia this year. The voters of Virginia deserve no less,” said Redpath.

So, as Rick, asks what is Warner afraid of ?