After agreeing to a single televised debate with incumbent Republican Rep. Charles Taylor last week, Democratic nominee former UT pretty boy and lousy NFL quarterback Heath Shuler has backed out of it, claiming he "can't find the time in his schedule." Yeah, right.
Here is the Associated Press report in The Fayetteville Observer:
In a letter sent Friday to the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper, which had hoped to sponsor a debate along with WLOS-TV, Taylor blamed Shuler for the collapse of a debate the two sides tentatively agreed on last week.
"I was skeptical from the beginning that my opponent's handlers would allow him to appear in a public forum to debate the issues, because they are aware of his inexperience," wrote Taylor, the Republican incumbent. "This serves as further proof that the outsiders who are financing his campaign don't want to expose him to talking about the issues in a public forum with me."
Read the rest at the link above.
Give me a break! This is a congressional race in the NC mountains, not a statewide or national campaign. There are over THREE WEEKS left in the campaign, and Shuler just can't squeeze an hour or so out of his schedule?
He's not ready for prime time, and the puppeteers behind him know it.
In fairness, as the article mentions, Shuler has appeared at several small local fora where both candidates were invited, and Taylor never showed. But these were out-of-the-way and out-of-the-spotlight events with no television coverage, often held while Taylor was in Washington.
Shuler's not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, and a debate with a television camera in his face would expose that. Whoever is making his decisions for him was right to chicken out.
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Congressional Races, North Carolina
Comments (5)
All of the lefties are afra... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Scrapiron | October 16, 2006 2:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
All of the lefties are afraid to debate after what the 'terminator' did to his opponent in Ca. Ask a softball question like 'what do you love about this campaign'? That blows their mind and it can't catch up for months. LMAO I ask them what they want to be when they grow up, that would really stump a democ'rat and they'd all answer a policeman or fireman. ROFL
1. Posted by Scrapiron | October 16, 2006 2:40 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2006 14:40
2. Posted by eddiebear | October 16, 2006 3:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yet another reason I doubt Charlie Cook's poll that has Shuler +11.
Also, I have noticed several of the "darlings" of this election ducking debates. Fitzpatrick in PA, Duckworth in IL, Shuler, that guy taking on Thelma Drake in VA, just to name a few. Obviously, they are just empty suits who are nothing more than vessels for the Dem interest groups. If only the MSM would call them out on it.
2. Posted by eddiebear | October 16, 2006 3:00 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2006 15:00
3. Posted by GOPWins | October 16, 2006 3:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Except that in most cases the candidate in the lead is more likely to eschew debates. That's what makes me nervous here.
3. Posted by GOPWins | October 16, 2006 3:12 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2006 15:12
4. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2006 3:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
eddiebear ~ Fitzpatrick is the Republican incumbent in PA's 8th, and he did debate his Democratic opponent. For the results, see my post above on "Murphy on the issues."
Candidates who are far ahead often refuse to debate, especially incumbents against unknown challengers, because the debate only gives their opponents greater name recognition and a better chance.
It is extremely unusual to see challengers refusing to debate, as we are this year. Many Democrats are counting on the national mood to sweep them into office DESPITE their lack of ideas, or even familiarity with the issues.
4. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2006 3:36 PM |
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Posted on October 16, 2006 15:36
5. Posted by eddiebear | October 16, 2006 4:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry. I was mixed up on the PA guys. My bad. But the Dem (Murphy) is a fool.
5. Posted by eddiebear | October 16, 2006 4:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2006 16:07