Randy Kuhl’s lack of commitment to Debate Massa
Eric Massa released a press release today calling on Randy Kuhl to commit to debates in 8 Counties before the election. Massa rightly points out that less than 80 days are left before the election.
Massa is right - debate allows the candidates to define themselves and defend their record or point out flaws in positions held by the opposing candidate.
Kuhl - the incumbent - has the most to lose so we can expect him to delay and try to trim back the debate schedule because he has the most to lose.
Trouble is, it shouldn’t be about losing or winning- it needs to be about ideas and what will work, what hasn’t worked. Randy Kuhl has a record. His party has a record and try as Randy Kuhl might - he can’t run away from his or his party’s record.
NY-29th deserves better.
So what I want to see is the various media - the editorial boards, the reporter blogs and such, call on a debate. I’ll agree that August might be too early to debate but it certainly isn’t too early to set dates.
You can see the background on the debates below the fold. Again, a record of hedging from Randy Kuhl
Background:
Eric Massa has formally challenged Randy Kuhl to a minimum of 8 debates,
or one in each county of the 29th Congressional District.
/*January 13th 2008 - The Corning Leader*/
"Kuhl was unavailable for comment Tuesday and has not publicly
answered Massa's challenge."
*/April 3rd, 2008 - The Elmira Star Gazette/*
"An official in Kuhl's office said the congressman is waiting until
the July filing date, at which time it will be known who will be on
the ballot, before committing to debates."
/*April 5th, 2008 - The Messenger Post*/
"'I look forward to the debates as I have in the past and will
participate in those as the schedule allows,' Kuhl said. 'It's much
too premature to think about those at this point.'
Kuhl added that there would only be about two months between the
primary date and the general election in November, which might also
complicate finding a location for 'maximum exposure' to constituents
of the district."
/*
August 11th, 2008 - The Corning Leader*/
"The pair also agreed to meet in debates, but no dates or locations
have been set."
Related posts:
- Massa, Kuhl and debates - the story is the Debate or lack thereof
- Kuhl being a bit melodramatic? Kuhl getting a Primary opponent or using that as an excuse not to debate Massa
- Apparently Kuhl is not ready to debate Eric Massa
- Massa’s Debate Challenge to Kuhl is Accepted
- Massa Kuhl Debates - at least twice
Sounds like Eric is a little worried and perhaps feels he is behind in the race.
How do you reach that conclusion Elmer?
Sounds like Kuhl is a chicken s@@t who knows Eric would destroy him in a debate.
[...] Seems both Massa and Kuhl are getting bad press over debates. Well, before you pass judgement what were we talking about before? How about Kuhl canceling his Town Hall meetings? Massa released a Press release asking for Debate committment. [...]