TV Debate Is Canceled As Warner Bows Out

Broadcast Planned As Statewide Event

RICHMOND, Aug. 29 -- Former governor Mark R. Warner chose not to participate in the only U.S. Senate debate this fall that was to be televised statewide, a decision that caused the event to be canceled.

Warner's opponent, former governor James S. Gilmore III (R), 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 Thursday. "I believe the people of Virginia have a right to see and hear candidates for public office discuss the issues."

Warner, who leads in fundraising and the polls, is widely considered the front-runner to replace retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R) in a race that Democrats hope could help solidify Virginia's gradual blue shift.

The candidates repeatedly attacked each other on energy, fiscal responsibility and truthfulness at the first debate in July. The debate, sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, was not televised, and only a few hundred lawyers watched it at Homestead Resort in western Virginia.

Warner and Gilmore agreed to a Sept. 18 debate, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, that will be televised in Northern Virginia.

Kevin Hall, a Warner spokesman, said Warner had a scheduling conflict but will consider other debates. He said the two candidates have agreed to at least three joint campaign appearances.

"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.

The league invited the candidates to participate in June in a televised debate produced jointly by Richmond stations WTVR and WCVE, which were planning to make the broadcast available to commercial and public television and radio affiliates statewide.

The campaigns had until Monday to respond to the invitation, which included eight possible dates in September and October.

"Exposing voters to a rigorous debate of the critical issues facing this nation today is a cornerstone of the democratic election process in America," said Peter Maroney, vice president and general manager of WTVR, a CBS affiliate. "It is regrettable that former governor Warner has chosen to deny Virginians that opportunity by declining this statewide broadcast opportunity."

WCVE is a PBS station.

Gilmore's campaign officials said that the Republican candidate had agreed to more than a dozen debates but that Warner initially agreed only to three, which included the league debate. Hall said Warner never agreed to the league debate.

"I think the people have a right to ask, 'What is Mark Warner hiding?' " Gilmore said. "As for me, I will debate him any time and any place because I believe the people of Virginia are entitled to that kind of public discussion."

The league has a history of sponsoring televised debates among major candidates for statewide office in Virginia. The most recent debate was in 2006 between Senate candidates George Allen and James Webb.

"We're very disappointed that we could not get both major senatorial candidates to agree to participate in a debate this year," said Olga Hernandez, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia. "We believe that televised debates are one of the most effective ways for voters to learn about the candidates and their positions."