Tea Party supporters protest Virginia Senate debate

RICHMOND — Tea Party supporters gathered outside Virginia's capitol building to protest the Senate debate between former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) because it excluded minor candidates.

A few dozen protestors waved "Don't tread on me" flags and signs that read "Shame on you, George Allen and Tim Kaine" and "Liberal media, keep out of our primary process," although rainy, windy conditions forced some to find cover.

The Associated Press, which sponsored the debate, made the unusual requirements that any candidate who wanted to appear in the debate had to have one-fifth as much money as the front-runner and reach 15 percent in at least one public poll.

This angered Tea Party challengers to Allen, including Jamie Radtke, a former chairwoman of the Virginia Tea Party Patriots, who was excluded by the requirements. She appeared with the protestors.

The race is expected to be one of the marquee Senate races in the country, and polling has shown the two candidates to be neck-and-neck.