Barr Announces the "Where's Ben?" Watch
Aug 18th, 2010
Day 35: Still No Response to Debate Challenge
LEXINGTON, KY - Sixth District Congressional candidate Andy Barr today announced the "Where's Ben" Watch after 35 days without response to his debate proposal.
Barr's campaign sent Ben Chandler a letter asking for 16 live, in-person debates on July 13, 2010 via certified mail. Identical letters were sent to Chandler's congressional office and his campaign P.O. Box to ensure he received it. Chandler's office received the letter on July 14th.
“Five weeks have passed since Ben Chandler received our invitation to participate in 16 debates in the 16 counties of the Sixth Congressional District before the November election. Unfortunately, we still have not received any response from his campaign,” said Barr. “The voters of Central Kentucky are concerned about the direction of our country, and they are entitled to learn about the candidates' positions on bailouts and stimulus spending, our growing national debt and the Cap and Trade energy tax proposal.”
Barr and Chandler are participating in a written debate conducted by the Lexington Herald-Leader, but Barr considers this insufficient. “I think a series of live, in-person forums throughout the district, similar to what Chandler proposed during his 2003 campaign, would demonstrate the sort of openness that citizens are looking for in their legislative representatives,” said Barr.
Chandler has supported aggressive debate schedules in the past. In his 2003 gubernatorial campaign, he challenged his opponent to multiple debates along with a three-week joint bus tour. When his opponent declined to agree to the proposal, Chandler's spokesperson said the decision, "shows disdain for the people of Kentucky" (Louisville Courier-Journal, 6/24/03).
“I look forward to traveling the District to discuss my plans to cut wasteful spending, extend tax cuts and reduce regulations to create jobs,” said Barr. “I hope Mr. Chandler will join me.”
