"A debate between Democratic candidates Al Weed and Bern Ewert covered everything from Danville to Iraq, but the most heavily trod rhetorical ground in Wednesday's face-off lay in Washington.

Both candidates tried to convince the party faithful that they have the best shot at unseating Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, who's represented Virginia's 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1996.

Weed and Ewert, both 63, are seeking the Democratic nomination to run in the November election.

Written questions from the audience reflected the understanding that whoever gets the nomination will have an uphill battle.

Goode beat Weed in 2004 by a 3-to-1 margin, retaining his seat in the largely conservative district that stretches from Danville to Greene County.

One person asked how each candidate would deal with the hot-button issues of 'God, guns, gays and immigration.'

Ewert, from Charlottesville, said he'd stress 'bread and butter' issues such as jobs and healthcare and highlight his experience in local government.

Ewert served as deputy city manager in Charlottesville in the 1970s, as well as county executive in Prince William County from 1997 to 2000 and Roanoke city manager from 1978 to 1985.

Weed, a Nelson County vintner, said that in order to win, a Democratic candidate must confront those issues head on.

'The simple answer to the four hot-button issues, God, guns, gays and immigration, is, 'I'm for them,'' Weed said. 'If you dismiss them, then you lose them.'

The debate, held at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging headquarters on Hillside Drive, was sponsored by Democracy for America, a spinoff of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign.

Both candidates oppose the Iraq war and believe President Bush probably broke the law when he authorized warrantless domestic surveillance.

Weed said if necessary, he'd vote to impeach Bush. Ewert said he wouldn't, as it would detract from other issues.

Both candidates said government needs to play a role in people's lives, as evidenced by the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

Both candidates said tax cuts for the rich should not be financed with skyrocketing deficits.

'Unfortunately we have a president who everything he's touched, he's bankrupted,' Ewert said. 'Now he's taking on the big one and bankrupting the U.S. government.'

Weed highlighted his 42-year career in the Army Special Forces.

Ewert, also an Army veteran, stressed his experience in government. He's now the president of Ewert and Co., a local government consulting firm.

Weed said he'd deal with Goode's local popularity by continuing to press the ethics issue.

Goode gave $88,000 in campaign contributions from employees and the political action committee of the former national security firm MZM Inc. to charity.

The firm was implicated in a bribery scandal with a California congressman.

Goode is the largest recipient of MZM donations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Goode has said he was 'shocked and amazed' by the scandal.

In closing, Weed stressed his experience running a campaign.

'I'm sure Bern is a quick learner, and like all of us, he'll learn from his mistakes,' Weed said. 'I've already learned from my mistakes.'

Ewert responded, 'I don't know anyone who got 36 percent of the vote and then ran again in the next election and won.'" (John Yellig, The Daily Progress, February 2, 2006)