Credit where credit's due to Congressman Perriello...

...from The Roanoke Times.

Incumbents generally have little to gain in debating lesser-known challengers, and sometimes contrive to avoid them altogether. Perriello has not done that, and instead has agreed to terms more favorable to his Republican opponent.

He might have acted on principle or out of necessity, as a first-term Democrat in a conservative district. Either way, he did what was right for voters.

Cue complaints about the Roanoke Times being a liberal rag in five...four...three...