All three candidates for Virginia’s First Congressional District squared off for the first time last Wednesday evening in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area. They presented separate and distinct visions on a wide range of issues, including health care, the deficit, extending the Bush tax cuts, the war in Afghanistan and gays in the military.

This was only the second time that the two major party candidates—Republican incumbent Rob Wittman and Democratic challenger Krystal Ball—shared the same stage in a campaign event. The two had previously spoken together on Sept. 9 in Stafford at an event sponsored by the Falls Run chapter of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees.

They were joined Oct. 13 by the third candidate on the Nov. 2 ballot, Independent Green (IG) hopeful G. Gail "for Rail" Parker. The venue was the Williamsburg Regional Library theater, and the 250-plus seat facility was packe...