Goode pulls out of Tuesday debate

By Bernard Baker

Published: October 2, 2008

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.