WAVY - "Former Virginia governors square off in televised debate"

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The first few minutes of Thursday's debate set the tone.

"We inherited from my opponent the largest shortfall in Virginia history," said Democrat Mark Warner, U.S. Senate Candidate.

His opponent, Republican Jim Gilmore said, "Bipartisanship, Mark, is no substitute for honesty."

Two millionaire men, both former governors of Virginia.

Democrat Mark Warner and Republican Jim Gilmore spent their hour together in front of northern Virginia businessmen, playing the blame game.

"When Mark Warner ran for Governor, he said he would finish out the car tax cut. That's not sound bite politics. That's a promise and he broke that promise," said Gilmore.

Warner said, "Your last budget was called full of gimmicks, it was called dishonest. The Republican legislature called it dead on arrival because it hid the budget shortfall. What I thought was $700 million, ended up $3.8 billion, grew to $6 billion. I remember looking at the numbers, thinking, is it too late for a recount?"

The issues themselves, in fact, didn't seem to be the real issue.

Warner and Gilmore both calling for regulatory reform regarding America's financial crisis, both backing a push to find energy alternatives, both vowing to protect a citizens' right to bear arms.

Though the debate always came back to money.

Warner said, "Being an entrepreneur and having a 20 year background in business, really is one of the differences between us. I can read a balance sheet."

"When I said we would put more jobs into the Commonwealth, we did. I kept my word and that's the kind of integrity and honesty that I'm going to bring to this United States Senate seat," said Gilmore.

Each candidate now hoping his performance on stage pays off come November.

Warner and Gilmore square off once again in a statewide televised debate on October 3rd.

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