Va. Senate candidates hold first debate

MCLEAN, Va. (AP/WAVY) - Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen squared off in another debate Thursday in one of the nation's marquee U.S. Senate races.

The two former governors participated in the first of three debates to be held over the final seven weeks of the campaign, at an event in McLean.

Their race is one of about a dozen that could decide who's in charge on Capitol Hill in January.

Thursday's debate in McLean was hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. It's been a staple for every modern statewide candidate for years and often generated news that affected the course of campaigns.

The debate was moderated by David Gregory of NBC's "Meet the Press."

The candidates will face off again Oct. 8 in Richmond and Oct. 18 on the Virginia Tech campus.