Bobby Scott, the Filipino American Democrat from Virginia's Congressional District, has scheduled a debate with Republican Eric Cantor. It should be a lively event as Scott recently voiced support for the public option while Cantor has distorted the facts and failed to show any ability to compromise.

This should be interesting. House minority whip Eric Cantor has hatched his own response to all the talk about town hall hooliganism: He’s agreed to sit down for a public, “civil” debate on health care with Dem Rep Bobby Scott, who’s also from Virginia, a Cantor aide confirms.

To our knowledge, Cantor is the first leader from either party to agree to a public, bipartisan debate on health care. So it’s likely that the debate will draw some media attention, as well as a fair amount of scrutiny from activists on both sides of the health care fight.

“This will be a civil conversation — and an opportunity to learn about the latest efforts in Congress from two men with a deep knowledge of the issue who are playing important roles in the national debate,” reads the invite to the Sept. 21st event, to be hosted by theRichmond Times-Dispatch.

Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring adds that Cantor hopes to “get away from the petty politics of moment and have a meaningful and civil conversation about health care.”

Since Cantor is the number two GOPer in the House, higher ranking than his Dem debate counterpart, the gathering would appear to offer a pretty ripe opportunity to grill a GOP leader on what, specifically, Republicans are willing to support in the quest for bipartisan health care compromise. Definitely worth watching.

If you're in the area, please try to attend and support Representative Scott and the public option.