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Candidates debate over debates

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Illinois

Roskam says four debates isn’t enough.

After splitting on issues ranging from stem cell research to tax cuts, 6th Congressional District candidates Tammy Duckworth and Peter Roskam now are debating debates.

While Republican Roskam, a state senator from Wheaton, and Democrat Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran living in Hoffman Estates, have consented to four debates, thereâ€™s some friction emerging over calls for additional sessions. […]

Roskam is expected to hold a news conference today calling for more exchanges between the two. He wants debates to start in August and occur in as many communities in the district as possible. […]

Duckworth spokeswoman Christine Glunz said the campaign is sticking to four debates at this point.

Use this as an open thread to discuss the race.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 13, 06 @ 10:15 am

Comments

While Blagojevich and the Democrats are still harassing Rich Whitney and the Illinois Green Party with unfounded objections (http://polstate.com/?p=4821), I’m guessing that they’re going to ultimately secure their spot on the ballot by some time in August.

So in my opinion the question isn’t the number of debates, but the quality. Blagojevich and Topinka mudslinging at each other four times or forty isn’t going to do much service for the Illinois voter. But throw Rich Whitney in there talking about actual issues, and maybe the other two candidates will stop acting like children.

Comment by Diversity of Thought Thursday, Jul 13, 06 @ 11:36 am
Before Roskam asks for more debates he should take down his campaign signs (violation of local ordinances) and pick up the American flags stuck along the curbs in certain areas of Wheaton. I picked two flags out of the gutter. If you are going to use the flag as a prop, at least have the common sense to respect them. Try reading the US Flag Code. It’s part of “6th District values”.

Comment by Pete Granata Thursday, Jul 13, 06 @ 1:20 pm
I think 4 debates are enough. From what I’ve heard, Tammy’s been doing coffees at people’s homes in every community in the district. I think that’s a much better way to get to know a candidate than scripted and boring debates.

Way to go Tammy. Keep going and meeting voters, don’t give in to talking only to Roskam.

Comment by Master Debater Thursday, Jul 13, 06 @ 2:22 pm
But it’s pronounced “Throat Wobbler Mangrove”

Actually, Lada/Tammy should accept as many debates as Roskam ask for - then add four more.

It helps her and hurts him. He’s playing the “I’m the DuPage Republican and Hyde/DeLay’s annointed boy so I’m really the incumbent.” The more people see him in person the more they’ll realize how out there he really is. The guy makes Hyde look like Ted Kennedy. The more the press and the public can see it, the less he’s a foregone conclusion.

Second, for Ms. Duckworth, one concern, fair or otherwise, is her physical stamina. No one questions her courage but if she can show that she’s up for a marathon of debates, any lingering concerns about her being up to the demands of the job would melt away.

Be careful what you wish for, Sen. Roskam.

And HEY, go to http://www.dfalink.com/iltraining - Dean coming to Warrenville!

Comment by Mr. Luxury Yacht Thursday, Jul 13, 06 @ 4:02 pm
Duckworth is one heck of a person, very nobile for what she has done, but both parties know she is not a legislator and not going to come off well in the debates.

Comment by moderate Friday, Jul 14, 06 @ 9:03 am
This being a Republican district, one has to wonder why the Republican would want more debates that only give added exposure to the under dog. Could it be Roskam is the underdog and he has reason to doubt wether the people in his district want a Bush clone?

Comment by blue Friday, Jul 14, 06 @ 10:38 am
Blue, are you smoking something? I am sure people would rather have a Bush clone than a Rahm Emmauel puppet. The thing about Duckworth she is making amistake. I wondered what she did in her professional life. I knew being a reservist was not a full time job, especially when she was not in active duty. Her real job should be played upon, but she is letting Rahm pull the strings and probably has no say in her own campaign.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Jul 14, 06 @ 1:31 pm
More than 150 cheering, enthusiastic supporters of Tammy Duckworth came to a volunteer meeting on July 15 in Lombard, and formed “Tammy’s Troops.” They fanned out through the Sixth District of Illinois to enlist the support of the district’s 323,000 voters for the Duckworth for Congress campaign.

They were buoyed by a new survey showing Tammy in a dead heat with gun nut Peter Roskam, the “Rubber Stamp Republican.” See http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/free_details.asp?id=24 for the details.

POLL: Duckworth and Roskam in dead heat
FINDINGS
In the open seat race for Illinois-06, Tammy Duckworth is in a dead heat with State Senator Peter Roskam, 40% to 40%.

Duckworth emphasize the core issues of her campaign:
She is a “budget hawk” who will work for fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget and pay-as-you-go government.
She will work to protect our fragile middle-class lifestyle by supporting affordable healthcare, education and student loans, and preserve pensions.
She has a plan to get us out of Iraq: for every squad of Iraqi police officers or soldiers we train, we will bring home an equal number of American troops.
A coffee will be held at my house, at 691 Wingate Road in Glen Ellyn, on August 15, where Glen Ellyn voters are invited to meet Tammy in person, hear her speak and have a chance to ask questions. The coffee starts at 7 PM and runs till 9 PM.

Yours,

Larry Bodine
691 Wingate Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Tel: 630-942-0977
Fax: 630-282-0472
E: Lbodine@aol.com

Comment by Larry Bodine Sunday, Jul 16, 06 @ 4:05 pm