Candidacy in full bloom for Mother’s Day

A candidate for the Virginia House planned to spend Mother’s Day giving flowers to women in Northern Virginia.

Ed Robinson, a Republican from Fairfax County, delivered small pots of flowers to women in Vienna last week. Volunteers helped him go door to door with his deliveries.

“I don’t know if we can honor mothers enough,” he said. “They are the glue that holds our society together.”

Mr. Robinson is running in the June 14 Republican primary for the seat held by Delegate Stephen C. Shannon, a Democrat who is serving his first term.

Also running in the Republican primary are Arthur G. Purves and James E. Hyland.

• Debating debates

Warrenton Mayor George B. Fitch challenged former Virginia Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore to debate him before the two meet in the June 14 Republican primary for the gubernatorial nomination.

Mr. Fitch said Friday on WTOP Radio’s “The Politics Program” with Mark Plotkin that he thinks Mr. Kilgore should debate the issues so voters understand the differences between the two men.

“I’ve been calling for debates,” Mr. Fitch said.

Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, unopposed for the Democratic Party’s nomination, also has asked Mr. Kilgore to debate, and has a Web site accusing Mr. Kilgore of ducking debate challenges.

Mr. Kaine and Mr. Kilgore both will appear at one debate in July, but so far Mr. Kilgore has not accepted other debate invitations.

Mr. Fitch said several weeks ago that he appeared at a Virginia Federation of Republican Women event where Mr. Kilgore also was appearing. Mr. Kilgore soon left the event, saying he had an “emergency meeting” in Richmond, Mr. Fitch said.

Kilgore campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh responded to the Fitch debate challenge: “Our opponent is Tim Kaine.”

• Timely talk

Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley last week talked privately with former President Bill Clinton during Mr. Clinton’s visit to the city, O’Malley aide Steve Kearney said.

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