Another Republican candidate for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat is expressing outrage over being excluded from the Dec. 7 debate between Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine. This letter has been circulated by Northern Virginia businessman Tim Donner, one of four Republicans planning to compete with Allen in next June’s Republican primary:

They’re attempting a coup d’état. The establishment candidates in collusion with the media have set a debate for Virginia’s US Senate election and rigged it so that Tim Kaine and George Allen are the sole participants.

As if the primary has already occurred, they have scheduled a debate between Allen and Kaine with rules preventing anyone else from being there.  They have decided almost nine months before the primary that these are the only two people who should be allowed to represent Virginia in the Senate.

Of course Kaine and Allen are running scared from the primary fight.  That George Allen would run and hide less than a week after I publicly challenged him to a debate is no surprise.  Who else but we the primary candidates and voters will hold their feet to the fire? That they are supported by the press in denying Virginians the real chance to debate the issues in the primary is shameful.

I must also call out Bob Gibson of the Sorensen Institute.  How dare you.  Sorensen touts that its very mission is to “strengthen and enhance the quality of government at all levels throughout Virginia.”  Ignoring the real primary fight will not strengthen government.  It will weaken it and deny Virginians the chance at the best leadership they can get. Shame on you all.

I call on all Virginians and especially all Republican leaders to denounce this attempt to end run the party’s primary process.  From Governor Bob McDonnell and Chairman Pat Mullins on down, I demand our Republican leaders PUBLICLY repudiate this attack on the electoral process.

Barack Obama’s vision for America has ignited a firestorm in those of us who will not stand for it anymore.  Millions of Americans are saying NO WAY to this vision.  We are gaining supporters and momentum, but that has the powers that be running scared.  They absolutely hate the idea that a citizen candidate like myself might serve you in the United States Senate.  We are saying no more business as usual.  This means George Allen and Tim Kaine.

Do you want the chance to elect your own candidates, or do you think the media and pollsters in league with the usual cronies should decide that for you?

Let them know you don’t appreciate it and are perfectly capable of making your own choices.  Call the Republican Party of Virginia and find out where they stand (804) 780-0111.

Tim Donner