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2001 Virginia Gubernatorial Debate
(as printed in the Fall 2001 edition of the Center Bulletin)
The University of Virginia Center for Governmental Studies and the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association co-hosted the final scheduled debate between Virginia gubernatorial candidates Mark Warner and Mark Earley on Wednesday, October 10, 2001. Center Director Larry J. Sabato moderated the debate produced by WDBJ-TV, a Roanoke CBS affiliate. The debate was broadcast live or on tape delay on over eleven statewide and national television and radio stations, including C-SPAN.
The event was underwritten by McGuireWoods Consulting, a bi-partisan government affairs and public relations firm with offices in Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Interestingly enough, the chairmen of both the Warner campaign and the Earley steering committee are part of the McGuireWoods team.
The debate featured opening and closing statements by each candidate, "Electronic Town Hall" questions submitted via e-mail prior to the debate, and a traditional panel of broadcast and print reporters. Websites and media outlets across the Commonwealth, including www.goodpolitics.org and www.youthleadership.net, accepted nearly 900 proposed questions for use in the "Electronic Town Hall" segment, making the event the most interactive debate in Virginia history.
The press panel for the debate included the following accomplished reporters: Ellen Qualls of WDBJ7, who serves as president of the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association; Jeff Kraus from WVIR in Charlottesville; Matt Brock from News Channel 8 in Northern Virginia; and Pamela Stallsmith from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The candidates hammered away at their campaign themes throughout the debate. Warner and Earley clashed repeatedly over the issue of raising the sales tax in Northern Virginia to finance $900 million in transportation projects. The heated debate included questions about felons' voting rights, hate crimes, and education. Though many of their responses were characteristically similar, both candidates returned time and again to the issues of taxes and negative campaign strategies.
Debate moderator and CGS Director Larry J. Sabato said, "We were pleased to give Virginians the opportunity to learn more about the candidates, as well as introduce the Center and the Youth Leadership Initiative to a larger audience."
The debate was originally scheduled for Sunday, October 7, but was postponed due to U.S. military air strikes in Afghanistan. After intense negotiations with the television stations and both campaigns, the Center and the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association rescheduled the debate for Wednesday, October 10.
The debate was a tremendous success and the Center worked hard to bring the event to the people of Virginia. The Center once again produced an informative, fair and interactive political event. CGS continues its commitment to involve and educate Virginia voters and inspire interest in the political process.
"With participating stations in all of the Commonwealth's media markets, this was the most widely broadcast political debate in Virginia history," said Alex Theodoridis, CGS Chief of Staff. "We are delighted to offer this valuable resource to the voters of Virginia for the second year in a row."
More Information on Candidate Debates
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Copyright © 2002 U.Va. Center for Politics. All rights reserved.
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