[DEBATE CONTINUES ON VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S RACE]

Mark Tate:
Absolutely not . . . if you're a Republican. Indeed, every moderate Republican who lacks the courage to do the right thing and vote for Democrat Tim Kaine, should, as a matter of conscience, go right out on election day and vote for Russ.

He is, truly, and by nearly all accounts except Dan's, a good neighbor and a decent man, unafraid to speak truth to power, and willing to do the right thing, even when it's unpopular.

I've voted for him myself . . . and if I thought he had a snowball's chance in New Orleans, I might seriously consider doing so again. But, as a Democrat, I can't. Not this time.

His former party needs more men and women cast in his mold. He doesn't care for Democrats and some of their policies any more than I care for Republicans and some of theirs. But I can look Russ Potts in the eye and not feel that I'm talking to a closed mind or hardened heart. If I were a Republican, I'd vote for him this time. His opponents, both Democrat and Republican, would be wise to pay him close attention . . . and enlist his help once the elections are over.

Dan Morrow:
Senator Russ Potts, running for governor of Virginia as an Independent, has almost no chance of winning.

If the polls are correct, only about 5% of voters are planning on voting for him.

Is voting for him a wasted vote?

I do not think you can ever waste your vote. If people are displeased with the other candidates, Republican Jerry Kilgore and Democrat Tim Kaine and their platforms, then voting for a third party candidate would send a message and would certainly not be wasted.

However, one should be sure what one is voting for. And with Senator Russ Potts you can be sure of nothing.

One year he is against tax increases the next he is for them. (As Governor, he has said, he would raise just about every tax he could...really he has said that is what he would do).

One year he is Pro-Life the next he is Pro-Abortion.

One year he is for referendums the next he is against referendums altogether.

The list goes on and on. If there is one thing for sure, it is that you can not trust Senator Potts. So in this rare case I think a vote for Potts would be a wasted vote . . . unless you just like to hear him talk.

I am voting for Jerry Kilgore. He is a man I can trust.