Connie Mack, the incumbent for the District 14 Congressional race in Florida denies citizens and candidates debate.
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Burt Saunder's request to Mack:
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Dear Congressman Mack,
Now that the major party candidates have been selected, southwest Floridians are turning their attention to the November general election. As I travel throughout Congressional District 14, I hear of the enormous problems facing southwest Floridians that must be addressed by Congress. Our constituents want to know where we stand on these issues, and I hope you will join me in informing them of our positions so they can make the best decision in November. I know from my conversations with voters that they are anxious to hear what we have to say on the issues and to see us together to assist them in their decision in November.
I request that we have a series of debates and/or town hall meetings starting in September and ending just prior to the November 4 election day. My campaign staff is ready to work with your staff to coordinate and set up these debates and town hall meetings. We could also request the assistance of the League of Women Voters and other organizations in coordinating these events. I know the media will fully cover these debates, and I am confident our cable providers will air them.
By copy of this letter, I am requesting the assistance of the League of Women Voters in the coordination of these events. I am also copying the media so they can begin to plan their coverage.
I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your prompt response so date and locations can be determined.
Very truly yours,
Burt Saunders
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Mack's response:
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"If and when any challenger to Congressman Mack - whether that is you (Senator Saunders) an Independent, Robert Neeld, a Democrat, or Jeff George, an Independent - becomes a viable opponent we will of course consider their request for a debate" responded Jeff Cohen, campaign manager for the Mack campaign.
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Press releases: (Saunder's release)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Daphnie Ricobene
July 10, 2008 (239) 537.5960
MACK SAYS NO TO SAUNDERS' CHALLENGE
Denies voters opportunity to hear candidates
NAPLES, FL - Senator Burt L. Saunders, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 14, on the urging of many constituents in the district, asked opponent, Congressman Connie Mack to join in a series of debates and town hall meetings to assist the voters with their decision in November.
"Our constituents want to know where we stand on the issues, and I hope you will join me in informing them of our positions so they can make the best decision in November" Senator Saunders wrote in an email to the Mack campaign. "I know from my conversations with voters that they are anxious to hear what we have to say on the issues and to see us together to assist them in their decision in November."
"If and when any challenger to Congressman Mack - whether that is you (Senator Saunders) an Independent, Robert Neeld, a Democrat, or Jeff George, an Independent - becomes a viable opponent we will of course consider their request for a debate" responded Jeff Cohen, campaign manager for the Mack campaign.
"I have been an elected official in southwest Florida for twenty-two years. I have filed the appropriate qualifying papers with the Federal Election Commission. I have been endorsed by the local and state firefighters associations, the local and state AFLCIO, and the American Nurses Association. My supporters certainly consider me a viable candidate. Congressman Mack is once again out of touch with what the voters want. The voters of this district should be greatly offended at his denying them the opportunity to hear the candidates together in a debate format in order to make an informed decision in November." Senator Saunders said.
"If Congressman Mack were confident about his abilities and the decisions he has made while in Congress, he would have no problem accepting this challenge. With the amount of money Congressman Mack has raised from PACS and special interest groups, perhaps he feels there is no need to participate in standard campaign debates. Perhaps he feels he has enough money to buy votes with television ads and mailings" added Senator Saunders.
Senator Burt Saunders has served the Southwest Florida community for the past twenty-six years as the Collier County Attorney, a member of the Collier County Commission, the Florida House of Representatives and currently the Florida Senate.
More information about the Burt Saunders for U.S. Congress Campaign can be found by visiting www.burtsaunders.com.
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Press Releases: (Jeff George's)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chuck Myron
Media Coordinator
Jeff George for Congress
(239) 334-7652
cmyron@crazyforcongress.com
GEORGE WANTS DEBATE FOR U.S. HOUSE SEAT
Cape Coral independent says Mack denying voters vital opportunity
FORT MYERS, July 10, 2008 – Congressional candidate Jeff George is ready to debate, even if incumbent Connie Mack is not.
The Cape Coral resident and U.S. Army veteran is joining a growing chorus in calling for a series of public debates this fall involving Mack and all three challengers for the District 14 seat.
“One of my goals since we began this campaign was to make sure that Southwest Florida finally got a chance to see Rep. Mack explain and defend his position in an open forum,” George said.
Fellow independent U.S. House of Representatives hopeful and state Sen. Burt Saunders on Tuesday sent an e-mail to Mack inviting him to participate in a series of town hall meetings or debates that would take place in the two months leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Jeff Cohen, Mack’s chief of staff, rejected the request in a response sent to Saunders.
"If and when any challenger to Congressman Mack - whether that is you (Senator Saunders) an Independent, Robert Neeld, a Democrat, or Jeff George, an Independent - becomes a viable opponent we will of course consider their request for a debate,” Cohen is quoted as saying in a press release from the Saunders campaign.
George, who is willing to assist any organization in setting up a debate, said Mack is denying his constituents the opportunity they deserve to hear the candidates discuss their views on the issues of utmost importance to Southwest Florida.
“It’s not the job of Connie Mack or Jeff Cohen to determine who is a viable candidate,” George said. “That’s up to the voters to decide, and Congressman Mack needs to realize he’s in office to serve the people of this district, and not the other way around.”
George, part-owner of a video production company, is endeavoring to give the people of Southwest Florida unprecedented access to the inner workings of his campaign.
He has used cameras to provide streaming online video of day-to-day work at his Fort Myers headquarters and document interaction with organizations and individuals across the district.
Those live videos and archived clips of events from the past several months are available on George’s Web site, www.jeffgeorgeforcongress.com.
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My opinion:
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This is going to be a pretty good race!
I believe that it's going to come down to the two independents.
~Damian A. Dimock
