U.S. Congressional Candidate Dr. Greg Rabidoux began the call for a public debate with opponent, Marsha Blackburn the day after the primary made him the official Democratic Nominee. As of August 16th, there has been no response from Blackburn or her office. And the people of the 7th district want to know why.
On August 6th, Dr. Rabidoux and a group of his supporters went to Blackburn's office in Franklin, TN. The staff at the Franklin office refused the letter. So the group traveled to Blackburn's campaign office in Brentwood only to find the office locked and lights off at 1 p.m. on a Friday. Dr. Rabidoux sent the letter certified mail with a signature receipt. After the United States Post Office found the campaign office closed on delivery attempts, the letter was successfully delivered on August 13th. The letter asked that Blackburn respond by August 16th.
"Providing the voters of the 7th District with an opportunity to evaluate both of us as prospective applicants to the job of representing them to the future in the US House of Representatives is both the responsible and responsive action to take by both you and I," Rabidoux said in the letter to Blackburn. "Voters throughout the 7th District want to see such debates and continue to demand it. I call upon you to be responsive to their wishes, as I am, and join me in such debates."
"Providing the voters of the 7th District with an opportunity to evaluate both of us as prospective applicants to the job of representing them to the future in the US House of Representatives is both the responsible and responsive action to take by both you and I," Rabidoux said in the letter to Blackburn. "Voters throughout the 7th District want to see such debates and continue to demand it. I call upon you to be responsive to their wishes, as I am, and join me in such debates."
The Tennessean covered this "call for debate letter" delivery, kicking off the press coverage of the "debate watch." And the voters of the 7th District have been responding to the article, engaging in Facebook dialog, sending Blackburn emails and messages and signing the petition calling for a public debate between the two candidates.
"I think the people of the 7th district deserve a public forum with their candidates," said Rabidoux. "I will continue to be responsive to the people by remaining open to a debate with Blackburn. In the meantime, I know that our volunteers, supporters and citizens who believe in an open process, will move forward in demanding a response from Blackburn."
A concerned citizen posted on Blackburn's official facebook page, "Our elected officials are responsible to the people who elected them. A debate is their chance to tell us what they have done for us, and we can decide if we want more of the same."
On August 18th, a Blackburn spokesperson told the Commercial Appeal that Blackburn would not debate someone who would vote for Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House. "It seems that again, Blackburn is more concerned with Washington/ Beltway politics than with the working people of the 7th District. While she is concerned about Nancy Pelosi, I am concerned with creating jobs and connecting educational opportunities with economic growth. While Blackburn is concerned about who will be speaker of the house, I am concerned with being responsive to the people of our district who deserve a public forum with both Congressional candidates."
"We will keep speaking on behalf of the people of the 7th District who don't agree with Marsha Blackburn that she is simply entitled to a free pass," said Rabidoux.
On August 27th, Rabidoux released a statement. In the statement he said, "Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s recent release of an economic “plan” on Fox News is another example of why Blackburn should agree to debate me in a public forum. Rep. Blackburn needs to be responsive to the people of the 7th District by participating in a public debate where questions can be asked about her voting record and her so-called economic ‘plan.’ It is interesting that at a taping of “Inside Politics” last Friday, I announced my SMART Plan which details my plan for job creation, partnering schools and technology with businesses and for budget/ deficit cuts I would suggest be made. At the taping I asked if Rep. Blackburn even had a plan. Now days before that taping airs, it seems Blackburn’s handlers told her she’d better start talking about an economic plan."
Rabidoux released his SMART Plan in August. The plan can be downloaded for viewing by clicking here.
The Rabidoux campaign released a short video capturing the efforts thus far to call for a debate. You can view that video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeCaWDO6TY8
