IS IT TRUE? April 15, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the campaign of Troy Tornatta issued a debate challenge to Rick Davis through the media yesterday with a bravado sounding “anytime and anyplace†challenge?…that Mr. Davis citing the fact that only a little over two weeks remain in the primary season and that it is a little late for a debate has declined to accept Tornatta’s challenge?…that as late as it is in the game that a public display of the candidates command of the issues and their proposals to solve the City of Evansville’s problems and manage the day to day operation would aid the voters in making their decisions on whom to vote for?…that in the spirit of seeking good public policy that the City County Observer encourages the Davis campaign and the Tornatta campaign to find a way to match wits in a constructive manner?…that there are many ways to do that and that a head to head verbal debate with controlled questions is only one of them?
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will offer our the pages of our sister publication to host an e-debate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Evansville?…that the format of the e-debate will be exactly the same as in the past with ONE CAVEAT?…that in addition to the five questions that we will formulate about issues and policy that we will allow each candidate to ask two questions of their own choice of the other candidate?…that time is of the essence?…that the voters will need time to ponder the answers so the e-debate will be published on Tuesday April 26th, 2011 with or without responses from both candidates?…that we will publish our 5 questions today with the rules of engagement?
IS IT TRUE that Mr. Davis and Mr. Tornatta can call or email the City County Observer by any means they choose to accept or reject this e-debate challenge?…they both have our private emails and phone numbers and have used them many times?…that The City County Observer sincerely hopes that both candidates will participate and make the most of this opportunity to get their view before the public?
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer received a complaint from a well wisher of Mr. Tornatta that we published Mr. Davis’s response but not Mr. Tornatta’s challenge?…that Mr. Tornatta’s campaign did not send us the challenge?…that if we received it that we would have posted it immediately in unedited form?…that we want the supporters of Mr. Tornatta to know that we can only publish what we receive and that we do want to be on his media distribution list?…that the Office of Jonathan Weinzapfel, Mayor of Evansville also refuses to send press releases to the City County Observer?…that this is a good opportunity for Mr. Tornatta to amend one of Mayor Weinzapfel’s personally influences practices to his own benefit?
IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 was feeling a little feisty last night and has released some predictions?…that Mole #3 predicts that Pete Swain will join Michelle Mercer in the winner’s circle for the Republican nominations for at-large Evansville City Council seats?…that Mole #3 predicts that an endorsement from a “Mega Preacher†will push Patrick McBride into the winner’s circle in a tight race for the Democratic nomination from Ward 2 for the City Council?…that Mole #3 says that if the election were held today that Al Lindsey would defeat B. J. Watts for the Democratic nomination in the 6th Ward BUT that the day to day antics and discoveries in the 6th Ward are quite dynamic and that on any given day that a tight race can favor either candidate?…that Mole #3 is anticipating over 1,500 absentee ballots will have significant impact on this year’s Democratic primaries?
IS IT TRUE that we expect both Mr. Tornatta and Mr. Davis to accept our e-debate challenge today?…that there will be no softball questions and no limits on the number of words to craft an answer?…that the City County Observer will release the contents of our e-debate directly to all media outlets in the Evansville area so that the most people possible can make their own judgement on who to support in this primary?
Part of comment removed by staff Rick won’t debate because he cant. He is a Democratic Party version of a Tea Bagger he’s mad at the world yet short on ideas.
Let’s ALL push Patrick McBride and Al Lindsey into THAT WINNING CIRCLE!!
I do not think an e-debate will suffice for this one. Our mayoral candidates should always be ready, willing & able to speak.
Lets debate this:
The city of Evansville was granted a charter in 1847 that gave the city the right to “self determination”.
Evansville, under that charter and the Home Rule statutes of Indiana is the master of her future. The city of Evansville may have ANY type of representative government the majority of its voters select.
It does not need the residents outside the city to join with it in an experiment of a new form of government. It is perfectly capable of developing and implementing a plan of its own.
The better course for the city of Evansville is for it to form and install a type of government that is so attractive to county residents that they would willingly join the city in a consolidation.
Put your house in order first Evansville, then we can talk about CONSOLIDATION.
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So what is the position of the candidates running for mayor on CONSOLIDATION? Have all of them stated their positions publicly?
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I know Rick Davis has voiced his opinion on Consolidation, as for Tornatta, I have not seen anything in regards to the consolidation.
Does the Mega Preacher live in the 2nd ward, is their church in the 2nd ward?
I think a debate between Watts and Lindsey, Mosby and McBride, Walker and Brinkerhoff-Riley would be great. Not sure about a E-debate though, would want to make sure who would be answering the questions for a couple of the canidates. After talking to one of the canidates, I’m pretty sure they didn’t answer the questions on an eariler e-debate.
I guess it is possible that someone could get another person to answer their written questions. The same would be true for the 6 question survey that the Courier Press sent out a couple of weeks ago and for the Keep Evansville Beautiful survey. Everything is subject to getting a bit of help from advisors. Have you ever been involved in a preparation session for a live debate for public office. The candidates are groomed and taught scripted responses to every pre-approved question to the point that they are not too much different than a trained parrot when the questions are asked. How is being a well trained talking parrot any different that having someone assist in the response to written questions? At least tele-prompters are not allowed in debates. The parrots must learn the words. Braaak! Polly wants your vote! Braaack!
I agree withwhat you say about the Courier Press and Keep Evansville Beautiful survey.
Yes, canidates can be groomed for a live debate. But they still have to answer the questions in person. But it’s a whole new game when someone else other than the canidate can answer the questions on a e-debate and unless you have someone there watching, you would never know it. And that is a big problem.
Most of the time you know it, you just don’t know who did it. When Forrest Gump writes something that sounds like Ernest Hemingway it is obvious that Forrest is not the author.
I think the problem in the third ward is that one or both of my opponents won’t agree to the e-debate, or they’ve been very slow to respond. I’m certainly ready and willing and have already agreed. I would prefer a live debate, because I think it would highlight my ability to think on my feet and speak publicly, but I’ll take what I can get.
Keep asking Stephanie. They will have to give a reason why the other two won’t debate, live or e-debate. I would ask for a witness if they go the e-debate route.
When an official is asked something does he need to be the one answering, or doesn’t he use advisors in real life?
Then lets have a debate and include the advisors. Can’t wait for Paul Bitz and Don Mosby to whisper in Ricks ear.
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