Vilsack, Desperate to Change the Story from King’s Record Fundraising Quarter, Abandons Debate Negotiations
King Campaign has agreed to nine debates in principle; Will only accept additional debates in Lincoln-Douglas format
On the heels of Congressman Steve King’s record-setting fundraising quarter in which King’s supporters contributed nearly $850,000 from April 1 – June 30, 2012 to his campaign, Christie Vilsack showed just how desperate her campaign is becoming by abandoning good-faith debate negotiations to shift observers’ focus away from King’s overwhelming support.
King and Vilsack representatives met privately on Thursday, June 7, 2012 to discuss the debate schedule and proposals. The groups agreed to issue a joint statement announcing the debates and the Vilsack campaign had even drafted a joint statement on July 2nd though they are still in the midst of finalizing debates.
King for Congress Campaign Manager Jake Ketzner released the following statement on debate negotiations:
“Christie Vilsack’s campaign, which continues to run a negative, misleading smear campaign against Congressman King, today showed their true colors by abandoning good faith debate negotiations after agreeing to announce the debates jointly when details were finalized.
“The King Campaign has agreed to nine debates in principle.
“At this point our campaign continues to work with debate sponsors to finalize details as Congressman King has a strong desire to share his plan to restore our American Dream and make sure 4th District voters finally learn where Christie Vilsack stands on the issues.”
The King for Congress campaign will only accept additional debate proposals if they are in the Lincoln-Douglas debate format.
The King Campaign has agreed in principle to the following debates:
- September 6: WHO Radio Debate (7:00 p.m., 1040 AM and whoradio.com)
- September 8: Clay County Fair Debate
- September 17: Franklin County Debate sponsored by the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
- September 22: Ames Debate sponsored by the Ames Tribune, Iowa State University, Ames Chamber of Commerce, and League of Women Voters (7:00 p.m., Lincoln-Douglas format)
- September 27: Orange City debate sponsored by KTIV-TV and Northwestern College
- October 9: Sioux City Debate sponsored by the Sioux City Journal and KCAU-TV (Time TBD, Morningside College)
- October 23: Fort Dodge Debate sponsored by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, Iowa Central Community College, the Fort Dodge Messenger, and Three Eagles Communications (7:00 p.m., Iowa Central Community College)
- October 25: Carroll - The Iowa Press Debates: Fourth Congressional District (Time and Location TBD)
- October 30: Mason City Debate sponsored by Three Eagles Communications, Mason City Globe Gazette and KIMT-TV (7:00 p.m., North Iowa Area Community College)
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Paid for by King for Congress