LYNCHBURG -- Three candidates vying for a seat in the 5th Congressional District faced off Monday in a debate focusing largely on revitalizing the slumping economy of Southside Virginia.

Democrat Al Weed, a Nelson County vineyard owner, and independent Joseph Oddo, a Ruckersville writer and real estate agent, are challenging U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, who has served in Congress since 1997.

The debate, broadcast during prime time by Lynchburg's WSET and Charlottesville's WVIR, was the second of five scheduled matchups, but the one likely to reach the largest number of 5th District voters.

In a campaign marked by sharp differences between the two major-party candidates, the tone remained largely civil. The candidates concentrated more on local problems than national and international issues.

Weed and Oddo both attacked Goode's use of federally earmarked money, saying the practice helped run up the national debt and cause shortfalls in other areas of spending, such as health care.

"Earmarks are not leadership," Weed said. "Earmarks are like a bucket under a leaky roof -- they only catch the leak right there. What we need is leadership in Congress to pass legislation that will change the economic future for Southside. ... Earmarks have not brought back jobs to this district."

Oddo, using a phrase he repeated throughout the evening, said earmarks were "wanton waste" that could be taken out of federal spending.

Goode, however, defended the practice, saying that much of Southside's problems stem from the federal government's passage of free-trade acts.

"In my view the federal government owes them to these jurisdictions that have been impacted, that have lost manufacturing in so many areas," Goode said. "It is the trade policies that have resulted in the loss of so many manufacturing jobs. ... You can criticize earmarks all you want to, but they are vital for rebuilding the Southside economy."

The candidates also sparred over free trade. Oddo said that free trade was responsible for the recent announcement that an IKEA furniture factory will be built in Danville.

Weed called for "fair trade" tariffs to enforce standards of living and environmental regulations. Goode, meanwhile, said he opposed free-trade pacts because they cost the district manufacturing jobs.

All three candidates spoke of the need for research into alternative energy sources. They each cited Danville's Institute for Advanced Learning and Research's work on biofuels as a positive step.

Weed has made that statement throughout his campaign, but Goode seized on it as well, adding that one of his earmarks had contributed to research.

A panel of four, including two broadcast news reporters and two Liberty University debate team members, asked Goode about campaign finance reform. The incumbent said he supported limiting individual contributions to $1,000, with no union, corporate or political action committee donations allowed.

Weed said he agreed but questioned why Goode has accepted PAC money in the past, while Weed never has. Goode countered by saying that Weed already has, including from a gay and lesbian PAC.

Oddo said that as an independent candidate, he has had some trouble keeping up with Goode and Weed in fundraising and asked for donations.

The candidates did address some issues with a larger scope, including the war in Iraq and looming conflicts with North Korea and Iran.

Goode, who in 2003 supported Bush's call to send troops to Iraq, said he now agrees with Sen. John Warner that it's time to "change direction" there.

Weed and Oddo made stronger statements opposing President Bush's stance on Iraq.

"There was never a strategy. There was never a plan," Weed said. "We need to pull out as quickly as we can and as safely as we can."

Oddo questioned the larger context for the war as well.

"The administration says we're fighting a war on terrorism," Oddo said. "You can't fight a war on a tactic, on a word."