Perhaps Mark Warner feels he’s had enough television exposure after his speech at the Democratic National Convention. In a press release, The League of Women Voters of Virginia says it won’t hold its customary senatorial debate because former Governor Mark Warner has opted not to participate.
“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 of WTVR, a CBS station that would have aired the debate. “It is regrettable that former Governor Warner has chosen to deny Virginians that opportunity by declining this statewide broadcast opportunity.” WCVE, a PBS station, would have also aired the debate.
Warner and his Republican opponent, Jim Gilmore (another former governor), debated in late July at The Homestead, but the event was not broadcast.
Traditionally, the frontrunner controls the debate line-up, and Warner is certainly the frontrunner. The latest Rasmussen Reports poll puts Warner up 26 points over Gilmore.