Robinson challenges DeFazio to debate series
From our weekly issue dated July 14, 2010
Dr. Arthur Robinson (IVN file)
The first two debates between Oregon 4th Congressional district rivals Art Robinson and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) have been scheduled, according to a Sunday, July 11 press release from the Robinson campaign.
Robinson, an Illinois Valley resident, has secured the Republican nomination to face DeFazio in the Nov. 2 general election.
In the release, the Robinson campaign states that it plans to schedule seven total debates, one in each of the counties throughout the district.
The first debate is set for Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Valley River Inn in Eugene.
A second debate has been scheduled for Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg, and the Robinson campaign said that other debates are being arranged.
According to the Robinson campaign, the debates will be conducted in the traditional one-on-one format, in which the two debating individuals speak for equal alternating timed intervals.
By mutual agreement, the debaters may alter the interval lengths. No one other than the two debating individuals will speak. A timekeeper will signal appropriately.
Following each debate, there will be a period for questions from the audience and members of the press, wherein the candidates will have mutually equal times to answer questions.
The Robinson campaign said that the debates will take place even if DeFazio does not attend. If DeFazio does not show up, Robinson said, surrogates will represent the incumbent and base their presentations upon the Congressman“s published statements.
During the past seven weeks, Robinson and DeFazio have exchanged seven letters. During the exchange, Robinson said, DeFazio has refused to agree to a debate schedule, stated that he will not agree to a one-on-one debate and insisted that it be monitored by the League of Women Voters (LWV) in District 4.
Robinson said that of the 46 officers of the five LWV chapters in the district, 42 are registered Democrat, one is Republican, one is Independent and two are unaffiliated.
“Moreover, the League has taken positions on many of the political issues of importance in this election,“ Robinson said. “Their internet positions show that the League“s positions are strongly in line with Democrat Party positions.“
Robinson said he has decided to schedule, finance and hold the series of seven debates. If DeFazio does not participate, Robinson said, the Congressman will be represented by “more courageous surrogates.“
We want to hear from you!
Add your thoughts with the link below.
Comments returning soon!
Advertisement:
