Last Tuesday I attended the taping of Congressional Debates sponsored by GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting)at the invitation of Stephen Camp (Dem Challenger GA-03), there were tapings but there were no debates. The incumbents were a no show. I would have liked to have said it was only the Republicans who didn't show up but Rep. David Scott (D, GA-13)failed to appear also. I'm greatly disappointed in Congressman Scott, he had an outstanding opportunity to help his party by showing solidarity with his fellow Dems against their opponents, but he chose to stand with his fellow incumbents instead. He let his party down.
I had originally planned to rip the GOPpers for their contempt for their constituents and the process by failing to show. The majority of those that failed to make an appearance were GOPpers but Rep David Scott has given them bipartisan cover.
Through discussions with several kossacks this appears not to be limited to Georgia. At least Florida has seen this phenomenon too.
Tampa Bay voters won't get the chance to see debates in four congressional races because the incumbents have declined to participate.
The snubs have left challengers crying foul, while the public TV station that scheduled the debates is scrambling to adjust.
Incumbents say their schedules are packed after having spent unplanned time in Washington, D.C., working on the bailout bill.
Their challengers say the incumbents are avoiding taking questions about their records and refusing to stick their necks out in a debate.
Meanwhile...
While The Atlanta Press Club continued its series of election debates today, none of the incumbents attended. The debates were for House Congressional seats in districts 3, 6, 7, and 13.
snip
Incumbent Lynn Westmoreland (R) did not attend the debate, and his challenger attorney Stephen Camp (D) took the opportunity to paint him as an "incompetent congressman." He stated that the four bills that Westmoreland introduced while in Congress were not enough for the constituents in District 3. One panelist made Camp recite the 10 Commandments. He did so with ease. It was a stab at Westmoreland who was unable to name them during an interview with Stephen Colbert this year. At one time Westmoreland had proposed posting the commandments in some public buildings.
Shame on all the incumbents of any party that fails to show up for a public debate, but this discussion is pointed at Rep. Lynn "Uppity" Westmoreland aka 3 Commandment Lynn who has failed to show up for at least five attempts by community groups to sponsor debates in GA-03. It seems he doesn't have time to defend his record. This is not the year to sit by Rep. Westmoreland, there is a groundswell of new voters that may very well surprise you and make you regret your failure to respect them with your contemptuous actions of no showing public debates.
After the elections this year and what I hope is an overwhelming sweep of Democrats to Congress we should remind them that getting to Congress is not the end of the line, they can be Primaried. They're not safe from us or the GOPpers. They need to perform.
Enough rant for today.
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