Sparring About How To Debate Continues (Art Robinson race)

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SPARRING ABOUT HOW TO DEBATE CONTINUES

By Kyle Bailey
News Radio 1240 KQEN

August 23, 2012 2:55 p.m.

The sparring about how to debate or hold joint appearances continues between Congressman Peter DeFazio and challenger Art Robinson. The DeFazio campaign claims that Robinson has rejected three invitations from community groups who are attempting to get the two opponents together. A press release from the DeFazio’s campaign says Robinson has rejected invitations from the League of Women Voters of Coos County, the Eugene City Club, and the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Roseburg Chamber Executive Director Debbie Fromdahl says her organization invited both candidates to a “forum” event, following the format they use for discussions between candidates in other races. In this format, a moderator poses questions to both candidates, who are each given a specified amount of time to respond. Fromdahl says the chamber is not willing to alter their format to suit the specific desires of either campaign. Fromdahl told News Radio 1240 KQEN, “it’s our event, it’s our format”, when questioned about the issue. Fromdahl said DeFazio agreed to the terms of the meeting while the Robinson campaign did not.

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[jct74]

more on debates:

Roseburg congressional forum looks unlikely

John Sowell
Friday, August 17, 2012

Two years after challenger Art Robinson called U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio a “dishonorable liar” and the congressman told Robinson he was “pathological,” the two men apparently won't have the opportunity for a repeat performance in Roseburg.

The two exchanged bitter words at the end of a Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce forum in 2010. Robinson, the Republican nominee from Cave Junction, has turned down an opportunity to again appear with the Springfield Democrat at a chamber forum.

Robinson said Thursday he's not opposed to appearing with DeFazio at forums presided over by moderators, but in return he wants DeFazio to engage in an equal number of debates with direct interaction between the candidates.

“Mr. DeFazio doesn't want to debate me. He's not willing to go into a format where I can ask him a question and he can ask me a question,” Robinson said.

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[jct74]

Peter DeFazio and Art Robinson increase volume on the debate about debates
Published: Friday, August 24, 2012, 6:00 AM

By Charles Pope, The Oregonian

WASHINGTON - The already testy 4th District campaign between incumbent Democrat Peter DeFazio and Republican Art Robinson is getting hotter as the two candidates escalate attacks about the others refusal to take part in debates.

The DeFazio campaign released a statement Thursday criticizing Robinson for rejecting "three debate invitations from non-partisan community groups including the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of Coos County and the Eugene City Club."

“Robinson can’t have it both ways,” DeFazio said in a statement. “He has been holding meetings around the district saying I won’t debate him, but he has now refused to participate in a long-established, well regarded, well attended, neutral community candidate forum sponsored by the Roseburg Chamber.”

Robinson, however, sees it differently.

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