U.S. House candidates in dispute over debate rules

GOP congressional candidate Scott Rigell has said he eagerly awaits a face-to-face debate with U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, the Democratic incumbent, but he's telling community groups he won't attend any forum that also includes the third candidate, Kenny Golden.

Rigell's refusal to participate in a three-way debate - he says Golden, an Independent, hasn't demonstrated enough voter support - creates a quandary for civic and business groups trying to organize debates before the Nov. 2 election.

At least one group has decided to proceed and has invited all three candidates on the ballot, while other organizations are weighing whether they will exclude Golden to ensure Rigell's participation.

"This is a very touchy subject," said Bill Carson, of the Third Precinct Citizens' Advisory Committee, which is inviting all the candidates to its Aug. 19 debate. Rigell's campaign "told me early on that they have no intention of appearing with Kenny Golden.... We all decided unanimously to proceed."

Meanwhile, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce has a commitment from Nye and Rigell for a Sept. 27 debate but has not decided whether to include Golden - a move that would cause Rigell to back out.

"We haven't come to a conclusion one way or the other," said Jack Hornbeck, the chamber's president and CEO. "It's an ongoing conversation."

Jason Miyares, Rigell's campaign manager, said the Republican doesn't want Golden to participate until the Independent has demonstrated that he has the support of 15 percent of voters as determined by three independent polls.

The only poll in the general election, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies in mid-June and paid for by Rigell, found Golden was supported by 4 percent of those surveyed.

The 15 percent rule is the same standard used by the Commission on Presidential Debates, Miyares said.

"Our focus is on the incumbent," he said, adding that they've required the same ground rules for any group seeking to host a forum. "We feel it is very reasonable."

Golden, who first ran as a Republican but last spring withdrew from the crowded GOP June primary to run as an Independent, said Rigell shouldn't have the power to decide who gets to debate.

"There's nothing that says those are the standards," he said. "In my particular case, why the hell should I pay for a poll if there are only three of us running?"

He contends that Rigell, the owner of Freedom Automotive and a first-time candidate, is afraid to debate him.

"I think it's going to backfire on him because there's going to be a backlash."

Miyares noted that Rigell and Golden debated four times during the primary before Golden withdrew.

Nye's campaign manager, Jennifer Koch, said the incumbent isn't placing any stipulations on the debates but is pushing for Golden to be included.

"We fully believe that every voter in the district has the right to see how all these candidates feel on the issues," Koch said.

At Old Dominion University, where the school's Democratic and Republican organizations are working together to set up a Sept. 20 debate, student activists are split. Amanda Armstrong, leader of the Young Democrats, says it's pointless to have a debate without Rigell but believes it's wrong to exclude Golden.

Christopher D'Ambra, a leader of the College Republicans, wants to limit the debate. "We don't want to see a petty quarrel between Scott Rigell and Kenny Golden," he said.

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com