Come to the North Country debate, Mr. Hoffman
An open letter to Doug Hoffman, Conservative,
On Wednesday, October 28th, a coalition of groups including NCPR will host a debate at SUNY Plattsburgh between the candidates running for the 23rd House district seat.
The event at 5pm will be held before a live audience. It's the only debate currently scheduled inside the district. It's the only debate that will be held in a public setting.
Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens have confirmed that they will participate.
So far, you and your campaign have not signed on, despite repeated requests.
Put bluntly, it is absolutely imperative that you be there for the voters of this district.
They deserve a chance to see all three of their choices in an open forum accepting questions from journalists and the public.
I've been party to efforts to arrange two other forums in the district and your campaign has demonstrated a clear reluctance to participate.
Questions are also growing about the fact that you live outside the district.
Some critics suggest that you have a thin track record of involvement with or knowledge of many of the issue and concerns that face the region.
Your campaign has focused instead on flat taxes and ACORN.
Fair enough, but we also want to ask you about rural healthcare delivery, care for our soldiers returning from the wars, and education funding.
We also want to see you demonstrate in a long-format and public setting that you can think on your feet, without the packaging and handling that has shaped much of this campaign.
It's important to note that you're not the only candidate in this race who's been "packaged" by national forces.
Democrats and Republicans in Washington DC are pulling a lot of strings, too.
But Mr. Owens and Ms. Scozzafava will be at this debate. By agreeing to take your proper place on the podium, you -- like they -- will put many of those concerns to rest.
As one of the co-moderators, I can assure you that the tone will be challenging and rigorous, but also respectful and scrupulously fair.
You've begun a remarkable political journey. It's time to strike a balance between the national movement that has adopted you and the local voters who you will serve if elected.
Respectfully,
Brian Mann
Reporter & Adirondack bureau chief
Labels: election09
posted by Brian Mann @ 10/22/2009 04:40:00 PM
11 Comments
11 Comments:
If he ducks this debate, I hope the electorate will get the message and see that this cat has no claws.
Nicely done, sir!
Yes, nicely done, Brian.
While I know you're not taking requests, I'll ask anyway. If the topic of "Alternative Energy" should happen to touched on in the debate, could someone make the point to ask specifics thoughts from the candidates? For instance, throw them a real curve ball and ask them if they think the time has come to move toward the highly successful European concept of "Feed in Tariffs" in regard to solar and wind projects. I'd bet they haven't a clue what it is. Thanks in advance, Brian.
Well stated. Since the candidate elected is our direct representative, all those questions and many more are fair and relevant. Any candidate not well versed on local issues and concerns has no business representing the people of this District.
Whoever gets elected in this race I'm going to send a letter to them that reminds them that he/she represents the residents of the North Country, not the national Democratic, Republican or Conservative Party which is where all the support for and direction of all three of the campaigns has been coming from. I'll be curious to see who will be able to give in depth answers to questions that relate to North Country constituents concerns. That may be the tipping point for me when I make my decision on who to vote for.
There is no need for Hoffman to debate issues. I mean, if Sara Palin says he is the right choice, then he must be well informed. He can probably even see Vermont from his window.
When Doug Hoffman speaks out against Government Bailouts, I hope someone asks him how he feels about the Government Bailout the 1980 Olympics received. He seems to be very proud of his job during that event.
JDM says...
Doug Hoffman should appear. We didn't properly vet President Obama, and look what happened.
Hoffman has been told by those who control him that as long as he uses the same buzz words and talking points to any question then that is all he needs to do.
In all honesty, he could mail in a tape recording it would be the same as if he were there. He really has nothing to add to the discussion. If he does, he has been keeping it a secret.
I don't think he has anything to gain, but some to lose by showing up. His legions will vote for him no matter what. They seem to be angry and frustrated and not very interested in working through issues and differences.
Healthy debate is not what they are looking for.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/26/poll-conservatives-dominant-group-american-electorate/?test=latestnews
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/club-for-growth-on-the-air-in-ny-23-blasting-two-liberals-for-congress-including-the-goper.php
Their way or no way. Not very American, but then I think conservatives threw that claim away a while ago. If you do not respect your President or the Office, then not much else is left.
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