Congressional election 2010

Where's Wally John's by smileycreek, on Flickr

Where’s Wally, and why won’t he debate his opponent?

What can you do with a candidate who refuses to commit to a debate? Such is the case with 24 year incumbent Wally Herger. First he refused to debate his primary opponent, Tea Party favorite Pete Stiglich. Now he refuses to commit to a debate with his Democratic opponent, Jim Reed. Why?

Is Herger so cocky about winning yet another term that he can’t be bothered with a debate? Is he too cowardly to debate his trial lawyer opponent? You make the call.

Literally make the call. Help us Contact Wally Herger and demand a debate before it’s too late. Ask Wally why he won’t debate Jim Reed on October 6th.

Herger has refused to debate Jim Reed four times. He refused to debate twice in August when he was on recess from Congress. He refused to debate in September when he was on recess. When Herger’s spokesperson vaguely promised a debate in October, Jim Reed and the Chico League of Women Voters quickly set up a debate venue for October 6th, well before absentee ballots would be returned….but again, Wally refused.

Even Herger’s primary opponent, Tea Party favorite Pete Stiglich, is growing annoyed with Herger’s stalling tactics. Stiglich’s campaign also tried mightily to wrest a debate from Herger’s campaign . Herger strung him along until the last minute, and then conveniently fell back on the rationale that he would not debate fellow Republicans.

Said Stiglich in a recent editorial supporting the Democrat’s repeated calls for debates:

I realize I run the risk of being accused of jumping onto the Reed bandwagon by supporting his call for debates. Trust me, nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, I’ve jumped upon the growing bandwagon of everyday folks demanding accountability, honesty and a healthy command of the facts from all those who seek or hold elected office.

Candidates should welcome the opportunity to engage in rigorous political debate. In fact, they should pursue it. What better opportunity to showcase one’s command of the facts and leadership on the many critical issues facing America today?

Dare I say, let the debates begin.

Now there’s a Tea Partier I can whole-heartedly agree with.

What last-minute excuse will Herger have for refusing to debate Jim Reed?

And, more importantly, how can we, the voters, make Herger accountable?

You may think this doesn’t matter to you if you don’t live in California’s Second District, but this election does affect you.

Why?

Because Herger believes he will be the next Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee if he is elected.

Because Herger has circulated a petition in the House of Representatives to Repeal and Replace Health Care Reform, even though doing so would add $455 billion dollars to the deficit, according to a letter by Mike Crapo of the Congressional Budget Office.

Contact Wally Herger and demand a debate before it’s too late!

Debate Jim Reed on October 6th.

email: [email protected]

Washington D.C. office: (202) 225-3076 fax: (202) 226-0852

Chico, CA Office: (530) 893-8363 fax: (530) 893-8619

Redding,CA Office: (530) 223-5898 fax: (530) 223-5897

reed cessna by smileycreek, on Flickr

Jim Reed, the Democratic Candidate for Congress in CA-02, needs your help. Jim has been flying his Cessna all over the large and diverse Second District, showing he’s willing to engageall voters in the district. He’s ready for a rousing debate– don’t let Wally weasel his way out of it!