Rigell supporters losing confidence, upsetting independents

Unreasonable demands equated as a no debate excuse

The Scott Rigell campaign handlers have determined the Commission on Presidential Debates criteria, only candidates who receive a minimum of 15% support level across five independent polls would be allow to participate in debates, should apply to Virginia's 2nd district congressional candidates. Unfortunately, not one independent poll has been conducted to date, nor likely will occur; hence, according to the Rigell camp, none of the candidates qualify.

Follow up:

This ridiculous criteria and the resulting television/radio network and periodical media publicity has given relatively unknown Kenny Golden a boost in the public eye plus a sympathetic underdog responsiveness. Blogs on Virginian Pilot and local political websites have not been too flattering of Rigell's debate avoidance.

On the fence says:

I find Scott Rigell brazen, pompous, and arrogant to naturally assume he is in the position to control what or who the electorate will or will not hear to decide on their choice in the second district. Those of us that are not aligned with a political party do not blindly push the button because of an R, D, or I. Nor do we place our vote on the basis of telephone polls on who the likely winner will be. We cast our votes on the comparative information we can get from those who successfully followed the process to become candidates.

More importantly, some local elected officials who readily lent their endorsement to Rigell are questioning this tactic which has resulted in such a blow-back. It has rumored that the Virginia Beach committee chairman has been fielding unflattering calls from party members concerning Rigell's reluctance to debate.

A political strategist at the Regent University says Rigell's decision isn't a smart one.

"When you are a challenger, you need to take on all comers. He needs to show strength. This shows weakness." - Chuck Dunn, the dean of the Robertson School of Government.