Congressional candidates, Goodlatte and Rasoul,  debate Monday night

By Candice Nelson
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: October 6, 2008

Another political race is set to take center stage on Monday night as the sixth district congressional candidates, Bob Goodlatte and Sam Rasoul debate.

At the Sam Rasoul for Congress headquarters, it’s crunch time.

One man makes calls and says, “Just wanted to let you know about the Rasoul vs. Goodlatte debate.“

The debate will be at William Byrd High School on Monday at 7 p.m., and the questions will be submitted by PTA presidents across Roanoke County.

Timing is the key. Now, people are paying more attention to these candidates.

“Now, people are really starting to ask questions down the ticket and figure out who is running for what, and so we want to make sure we’re out in the public. We’re still knocking on doors every day making sure people know what we are all about,” said Rasoul.

The campaign manager for Republican incumbent, Bob Goodlatte, said he was too busy to meet with Ten On Your Side before the debate.

But one candidate said she wanted to talk in Monday night’s debate but wasn’t invited. Independent nominee, Janice Lee Allen, sent a press release claiming Rasoul failed to invite her to the debate.

Rasoul responded, “I have no clue. You’ll have to talk to the PTA about that. Of course, they’re the ones that set this up. We were just invited to this last week ourselves.“

A PTA representative and the moderator agrees. He said they were the ones who invited the candidates and only wanted the major parties.

Allen is still upset with Rasoul.

“I would certainly think that Sam would have encouraged, since I did him, the help of coming out and being visible in the debate, that he would have stood up for me as well,” Allen said.

She also says she wants the independents represented.

“I need visibility in Roanoke as well. People need to know there is an independent running who will represent them and not a political party,” Allen said.

But no matter who is to blame, there will only be two candidates at Monday’s debate – three are fighting for your vote on Election Day: Goodlatte, Rasoul, and Allen.