Goodlatte campaign says it never agreed to debate

A proposed YouTube debate between candidates in the 6th Congressional District won't include incumbent Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, whose campaign said the format is stacked in favor of challenger Sam Rasoul.

Rasoul's campaign issued a news release Tuesday indicating the debate, moderated by the Lynchburg Ledger, would "include all the Congressional candidates in the 6th District," including Republican Goodlatte, Democrat Rasoul and independent Janice Lee Allen.

But Goodlatte's campaign issued a statement Friday saying it never agreed to the debate, which is organized and sponsored by Rasoul.

"Bob likes the idea of a YouTube debate," said Goodlatte campaign manager David Rexrode. "It's definitely something that interests him, but it needs to be something put out by an outsiders' organization, not by an individual's campaign."

Rasoul spokesman Carey Markoe responded, "He's just concerned it's going to be left-leaning, and it's not intended to be that at all. Truthfully, all we want to do is inform the constituents. If Goodlatte doesn't want to participate, that's up to him."

Allen could not be reached for comment on the proposed debate.

Ann Page, editor of the Lynchburg Ledger, said the Rasoul campaign approached the paper earlier this week to pitch the idea of the YouTube forum. The paper agreed, but left much of the technical work to the Rasoul campaign.

"We don't have high speed Internet and can't view the questions here," Page said.

So those interested in submitting questions have been directed to post them on YouTube and then go to Virginia6.com -- a Web site hosted by the Rasoul campaign -- to submit them for the debate.

A note on the site's front page suggests that constituents without a video camera can stop by Rasoul's Roanoke headquarters to film their question.

Page said an official from the paper will go to the Lynchburg library Sept. 5 to moderate the debate, pulling questions from Virginia6.com.

Rexrode said that process worries the Goodlatte campaign.

"Bob's always debated his Democratic opponents, but we want something that's fair and equitable to both sides and not controlled by his opponent," Rexrode said.

-- Mason Adams

Gilmore to stump in Salem, Henry Co.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore is bringing his U.S. Senate campaign to Southwest Virginia this weekend, wrapping it up with Sunday visits to Salem and Henry County.

Gilmore, who is seeking the seat now held by fellow Republican John Warner, will visit the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Classic Hunting and Fishing Expo at the Salem Civic Center on Sunday afternoon.

He also is scheduled to appear at the grand opening of the Henry County Republican headquarters in Collinsville and at the Martinsville Republican Committee picnic at Wilson Park.

Gilmore is taking on Democrat Mark Warner, who succeeded him as governor. Mark Warner is not related to John Warner, who is retiring after five terms in office.

Gilmore will be campaigning this weekend in areas where Mark Warner made inroads during his 2001 run for governor. Gilmore will spend Saturday campaigning in far Southwest Virginia before attending the NASCAR Sharpie 500 in Bristol, Tenn.

Gilmore was in Blacksburg on Friday night, speaking at the Montgomery County Republicans' Obenshain-Dalton Dinner at Virginia Tech.

Mark Warner is scheduled to deliver the keynote address Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

-- Michael Sluss