But which one would Nikki be?
This release from the Sheheen campaign…
Why won’t Nikki Haley agree to debate Vincent Sheheen?
CAMDEN, SC — Seventeen days ago, Vincent Sheheen challenged Nikki Haley to five substantive debates on five important issues in five different South Carolina locations. She did not respond. Six days ago, the Sheheen campaign called Representative Haley’s campaign and left a message, requesting a return call. No response. Four days ago, the Sheheen campaign called Haley headquarters again but were told that the appropriate staff could not be reached.
In a letter sent to Representative Haley on August 30th, Sheheen stated, “I challenge you to debates on jobs and the economy in Greenville, education in Columbia, governmental reform and transparency in Charleston, comprehensive tax reform in Rock Hill and infrastructure and tourism in Myrtle Beach. I propose the debates follow the Lincoln Douglas format as prescribed by the National Forensic League, the oldest and largest interscholastic forensic organization in the United States.”
“Voters, with such an important choice at such a crucial time, want the chance to fully know the candidates for governor,” he concluded in the letter.
Sheheen Communications Director Kristin Cobb had this to say: “Why is Nikki Haley afraid to debate Vincent Sheheen? She is hiding her record from a public debate like she hid her tax problems and her income. Maybe she would return our calls if we offered to debate her in Iowa or Arizona.”
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… raises a question that is extremely easy to answer:
If she doesn’t debate, we’ll know its because she believes she’s more likely to win without doing so.
But you know what? There’s no way South Carolinians should allow anyone to become our next governor without hearing the competitors in multiple debates. Debates would allow us to hear:
- Who would be the more credible and effective leader in building our state’s economy.
- Who can more persuasively make the case for genuine governmental reform, beyond the soundbites.
- How Nikki, as the “Transparency” candidate, justifies her repeated failures to transparent in even the most elementary ways.
- Whether Vincent is really committed to being governor, or is just a nice guy with good qualifications who will agree to be governor if we really want him to.
And other burning questions.
We deserve this. While it was kinda geeky and wonky, we would be well-served if Nikki would go along with the Lincoln-Douglas idea. Or if she’s got a better idea for multiple debates, let’s hear it NOW, so that we can make sure these things happen.
We’ve bought enough pigs in pokes lately. Let us get a really good look at these two.
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If Sheheen wanted to attack her for ducking debates, maybe he shouldn’t have unilaterally proposed that Lincoln-Douglas debate idea(and then attacked her for dodging it) when they already had one debate scheduled(which got cancelled the day beforehand IIRC).
They will debate, but I doubt the first one happens before the 2nd week of October.
Nikki has everything to lose by debating. Vincent is experienced in thinking and speaking on his feet and clearly professionally better off in that regard as well. Araial nailed it–everyone who supports Haley is ignoring that her positions have no clothes. Why should she do anything that might shed more light on them?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Haley tries to get out of debating, period, as she has little to gain and much to lose. I will be surprised if there are more than 2 debates max, with a very non-give-and-take format, certainly the opposite of Lincoln/Douglas, so she can play it safe. The irony is that, from what I can tell, Haley would probably fare much better in debates than somebody like Sharron Angle (another Tea Partier ducking debates) or some of the other TPers out there. But she’s playing it very safe in her campaign, seeking to minimize the chance of any gaffes and (other than challenging Sheheen to defend Romneycare, oops, I mean Obamacare, and the challenge to the AZ law on illegal immigration) she’s steering clear of some of the more extreme ideas of the TPers. Who can blame her for playing it safe, from a strategic standpoint?
Brad, there is going to be an interesting endorsement of Sheheen tomorrow.
ooooh j–whisper it in my ear! I won’t tell!
“Brad, there is going to be an interesting endorsement of Sheheen tomorrow.”
Jake Knotts?
Who’s the endorsement, I’m dying here?
Well, it seems her plan has been revealed. She scheduled the debates but neglected to check with Sheheen first, right?
30-second soundbites? Really, Nick?
@Joanne–I’m still placing my money on Vincent even in the sprints.