First, let's start with an update on our WSAZ Town Hall.

I already told you we secured a debate between the two candidates for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District of West Virginia - Shelley Moore Capito (R) and Anne Barth (D).

Now we have the candidates for the 3rd Congressional District -- Nick Rahall (D) and Marty Gearhart (R) -- on board for a debate.  Mr. Rahall turned down our invitation two years ago to debate his opponent at the time, Kim Wolfe.

Two of the three candidates for governor of West Virginia will debate.  Russ Weeks (R) and Jesse Johnson (M) accepted our invitations.  It has been previously noted in this blog that Joe Manchin (D) turned down our offer.

We also have secured commitments from the three candidates for mayor of Ashland.  As of right now only Bruce Lunsford (D) will appear for the US Senate Race out of Kentucky.  Mitch McConnell (R) has yet to respond.

The plan is for WSAZ to record the debates live to tape on Saturday, November 1st with an air date of Sunday, November 2nd.  I'll keep you posted!

=====

The Anne Barth ad featuring United States Senator Robert Byrd's endorsement has been getting some press this week.  But, doesn't it remind you of the ad that former Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Charnock ran four years ago?  You might remember Charnock's ad featured an older couple sitting on a porch talking about a candidate who was getting buzz.  Ah, all the good ideas are used already anyway.

===== 

ABC news interviewed a couple West Virginians (from the Eastern Panhandle) and say Obama's biggest obstacle in West Virginia "could be the culture gap."

=====

Barack Obama reiterated his claim that "I'm going to be in the region" to Michael Wooten this week.  He didn't specify where or when, so I'll believe it when I see it.  However, even with zero attention paid to West Virginia, Obama is not being blown out by John McCain.  The latest poll shows a 4% gap -- taken this week by American Research Group.