NBC29 reports today that Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode has cancelled his debate against Democratic challenger Tom Perriello that the news station was sponsoring, originally slated for live broadcast on October 7 at 7pm, a prominent spot preceding the second presidential debate. Goode cited a scheduling conflict. The debate has been in the works since April.
“We are working with Mr. Goode and the Perriello campaign on possibly rescheduling this debate for another date,” says Neal Bennett, NBC29 news director. “We hope to have some answers by the end of the week.” According to NBC29, Goode says he will commit to a third debate, though he wouldn’t specifically commit to a televised debate.
“There’s just no excuse for this,” says Perriello in a press release. “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. …This is cowardice, not leadership.”
Linwood Duncan, Goode’s press secretary, was not immediately available for comment.
Perriello has presented the strongest challenge to Goode since he was first elected in 1996. The pair have debated twice—the first time in Charlottesville, and the second time in Danville. The second debate, sponsored by the Sorensen Institute, has been aired on public radio.
Tom Perriello is calling out Virgil Goode (above) for cancelling the debate slated to precede the presidential debate on Tuesday night. "This is cowardice, not leadership," says Perriello.
