Why Won't Mark Warner Debate Jim Gilmore?

Mark Warner must not be too proud of the things he, and the Democrat party, stand for. Why then has Warner not only refused to take part in the traditional League of Women Voters debate, but he has canceled a scheduled debate before federal retirees in Hampton?

Don't Virginians have the right to see the two major candidates to replace retiring Sen. John Warner (no relation) before choosing the best candidate? Perhaps that is why Mark Warner doesn't want the public to see him answer direct questions.

Mark Warner already fooled Virginians once by claiming that he wouldn't raise taxes. It will be a little difficult for him to try the same "trust me" routine again.

According to former Gov. Jim Gilmore:

“We debated Mark Warner at the Homestead and we talked about
how John McCain and Jim Gilmore are the candidates who want to drill
for oil and bring down gas prices – and that both Mark Warner and
Barack Obama have opposed drilling for oil offshore.

“Mark Warner apparently does not want the people of Virginia
to have an opportunity to understand clearly where he stands on the
issues, so he has declined the traditional League of Women Voters
Debate and just recently cancelled a debate before retired federal
employees in Hampton.

“I believe the people of Virginia have a right to see and hear
candidates for public office discuss the issues. I have agreed to more
than a dozen debates with Mark Warner all across the State. He
initially accepted three of those opportunities, but has cancelled one
of those – and now refuses the debate historically done by all
statewide candidates before the League of Women Voters.

“I think the people have a right to ask: What is Mark Warner
hiding? As for me, I will debate him any time and any place because I
believe the people of Virginia are entitled to that kind of public
discussion.”

If Mark Warner won't stand before Virginia voters and debate Gilmore, how can Virginians expect him to dutifully represent them in the US Senate?

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings