Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds released a list of ten debates/forums that he is willing to participate in. Pending approval by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, who previously challenged Deeds to appear in a series of debates, the schedule would be as follows:
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
Items in bold are those on McDonnell’s list as well. So, at the least, there will be five debates this election season, more than we’ve had in the past. I suspect we may very well have a tussle over the five debates on Deeds’ list as opposed to the five on McDonnell’s list.
In recent weeks, McDonnell had also agreed to a debate sponsored by Blogs United. Whether that debate will be a part of the discussion between the two camps remains to be seen.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
For the love of God, no! Not ten of them!
I think 10 would be fun 🙂 But I don’t expect there will be 10 – more like 7 or 8.