Deeds annouces Debates/Forum schedule

The Creigh Deeds campaign has now released a schedule of 10 debates and forums throughout the state. I don't see A. Why it took so long for him to announce this schedule and B. Why he wants to have forums. I really don't see any positive impact coming out of forums I think a debate would be more productive and more informative for the voters. Also I felt Bob's schedule would cover more of the state and allow more voters to come and see the debates. Creigh is passing up national coverage by giving up on a debate sponsored by YouTube and Politico and also one on CNN's State of the Union as well as statewide coverage by rejecting three of the four debates that Bob McDonnell proposed that would be televised statewide. This is making me think more and more that Creigh Deeds doesn't want the voters to hear from him. Their campaign office in Roanoke is in an awful location where it is hard for voters to access where the McDonnell/Bolling/Cuccinelli office in Roanoke is centrally located for people around the whole Roanoke Valley and near a major shopping mall. I also have been seeing more Terry Mcauliffe signs that are leftover from the primary than Creigh Deeds signs. I don't even think I have seen a Creigh Deeds sign. So much for being endorsed by the Washington Post.

McDonnell for Governor, press secretary Crystal Cameron remarked, “Today, Bob McDonnell rolled out a comprehensive and specific transportation plan, something Creigh Deeds admits he doesn’t, and will not have. While Bob was in Arlington standing by Interstate 66 and talking about getting traffic moving again, the Deeds campaign was responding to pressure that has mounted statewide to engage in debates. These are difficult times, and Virginia citizens deserve a robust discussion of the issues facing the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the Deeds proposal includes six forums or joint appearances, many of which we have already agreed to, and only four real debates, which includes the one in his home county this weekend. We hope the Deeds campaign will agree to a schedule of ten real debates available live to the public. We look forward to sitting down with them to put together this schedule.”

Deeds' Schedule:

• HOT SPRINGS — Virginia Bar Association Debate, The Homestead – July 25, 2009

• RICHMOND - Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Forum, July 31, 2009

• LOUDOUN CO. - Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Forum, August TBD

• NORFOLK - Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association Forum, September 15, 2009

• MCLEAN — Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Debate, September 17, 2009

• RICHMOND - Radio One Candidate Forum, September 22, 2009

• ROANOKE – WSLS10 Debate, Roanoke , Date TBD

• NORFOLK - Greater Norfolk Corporation Forum, Norfolk , TBD

• RICHMOND - League of Women Voters/AARP Debate — October 12, 2009

• HAMPTON - Southern Christian Leadership Conference Forum, October 22, 2009

McDonnell Schedule:

The Virginia Bar Association Debate

July 25th

The Homestead Resort in Bath County

Confirmed

Cox Communications-Hampton Roads Debate

August 5th

Cox Studios- Chesapeake

Southwest Virginia Debate

August 28th

Sponsor and Location TBD

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Debate

September 17th

Fairfax

Radio One/Richmond Crusade for Voters/The Chesterfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc/ Rho Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Community Forum Debate on Richmond Radio Stations: WCDX 92.1FM, WKJM 99.3FM and WKJS 105.7FM (simulcast), WPZZ 104.7FM, WTPS AM 1240

September 22nd

Radio One Studios- Richmond

CNN "State of the Union Virginia Governor’s Debate"

September 27th

CNN Studios- Washington D.C.

YouTube/Politico/WJLA Statewide Televised Debate

October 6th

WJLA Studios- Arlington

WSLS Statewide Televised Debate

October 9th

Roanoke

League of Women Voters/AARP/PBS/WTVR/WTKR/WDBJ Statewide Televised Debate

October 12th

Richmond

NBC 29/University of Virginia Center for Politics Statewide Televised Debate

October 20th

The Rotunda on the Grounds of the University of Virginia- Charlottesville