Monday, August 30, 2010
Arkansas Politics Boozman dodges Lincoln
Posted by Max Brantley on Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Sen. Blanche Lincoln's campaign is making much of Rep. John Bozoman's varying excuses for limiting his shared appearances (debates and forums) with Lincoln.
Fair points in Lincoln's news release on the jump, particularly on Boozman's inartful and disingenuous responses. But, sadly, this is a familiar pattern in politics. The favorite ducks and dodges; the badly trailing challenger tries to make something of it. It rarely amounts to much of a voter issue.
LINCOLN NEWS RELEASE
Congressman Boozman: Too Busy or Just Ducking Debates?
Congressman John Boozman and his campaign manager claimed yesterday that he was unable to appear with Senator Blanche Lincoln before the Arkansas Economic Developers because of a scheduling conflict. But that's not what his campaign stated in an email to the event organizer just days before the event.
At a fundraiser last night, Congressman Boozman told reporters he had given organizers "plenty of notice" that he could not attend the Arkansas Economic Developers conference held Tuesday in Hot Springs; his campaign manager said he had declined the invitation "two weeks ago" due to a "scheduling conflict" and organizers "weren't able to adjust."
However, in an email forwarded to the Lincoln Campaign by the conference coordinator, Kay Brockwell that was dated one week before the event, a Boozman staff member wrote, "I was under the impression each candidate would be speaking separately to the conference vs. answering questions in a debate format. We were just in Hot Springs doing the same type event last week. We have committed to doing 3 debates and we have locked those in and to be fair to those debate/forum requests we have already declined, it's only appropriate to decline this as well. I do apologize for the misunderstanding."
The Arkansas Economic Developers is just the latest in a growing list of groups and organizations around the state whose requests for a Senate debate or forum have been accepted by Senator Lincoln and declined by Congressman Boozman.
"It appears that Congressman Boozman is spending a lot of his time reading Republican-biased poll numbers and measuring the drapes for his new Senate office," Lincoln Campaign Manager Steve Patterson said. "Not a single vote has been cast and he's decided this is going to be a free ride. One thing is for sure, Senator Lincoln doesn't take a single vote for granted."
"We believe there are serious differences between Senator Lincoln and Congressman Boozman and Arkansas voters have every right to examine those differences," Patterson continued. "We've heard from several groups around the state who are eager to stage forums and debates."
Congressman Boozman has agreed to only two debates but has declined the following debates/candidate forums, including three in his own congressional district. His campaign has given various and often conflicting excuses. Senator Lincoln has accepted all invitations listed below.
Arkansas Economic Developers Forum, Hot Springs, August 24
Boozman's excuse after initially accepting the invitation: We thought each candidate would speak separately.
University of Arkansas Student Government Association Debate
Boozman's excuse: We're only doing two debates.
Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders Candidate Debate hosted by the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Boozman's excuse: Will only have one debate in each congressional district and already committed to do the University of Arkansas debate.
KFSM-Channel 5 and The City Wire Debate in Fort Smith
Boozman's excuse: Not sure he can make it.
El Dorado Forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the El Dorado News-Times and Noalmark Broadcasting
Boozman's excuse: Schedule is booked.
Pulaski County Bar Association candidate forum in Little Rock
Boozman's excuse: He'll be in D.C.
Associated Press debate in Little Rock
No Response from Boozman
Transcript from August 24, 2010 Boozman Fundraiser Media Avail:
Question: Senator Lincoln's campaign had said that you had backed out of appearing at that economic development forum today after you realized it was a joint appearance. I'd like to give you a chance to respond to that.
Boozman: You know, I, to be honest, I, that was the really the first thing that I'd really heard of it was today and my understanding...Sarah? My understanding was that we'd given them plenty of notice that we just couldn't be there...
Campaign Manager Sarah Huckabee (off camera): Two weeks ago, we declined.
Boozman: Yes, and we've got the emails and the whole bit.
Huckabee: We had a scheduling conflict...(inaudible)...and they weren't able to adjust, so.
Boozman: So that's really the deal. I'll say this, you know, I've been all over the state, and will continue to be all over the state. The functions that we have are open, you know, unless we're doing a fundraising event. But the vast majority of our events are meet and greets. We advertise them, anybody's welcome to come, I'll speak for four or five minutes, and then I'll take any question that anyone wants to ask me. And I really enjoy that. I think I learn a lot, and learning what's on peoples' minds, and they understand my views. But, we've been very very open and we're out and about as much, well, we're out and about more than anyone, by far.
Comments (10)
Showing 1-10 of 10
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I wouldn't want my picture taken near Blanche Lincoln so I can't blame Boozman for feeling the same way.
That type thing could come back and haunt you taken out of contect in the future.
Think Vic Snyder pic next to Fidel Castro!
BYE BYE Blancheie baby! We are retireing you to your home in Virgina. You an Steve can buy a motor home and tour the country.
To quote:
"we believe there are serious differences between Senator Lincoln and Congressman Boozman"
The only dang differences are which rich fat-cats they have sold out to.
Anyone whose been around NOozman knows he'd really like to keep his public appearances down to ZERO. Makes him uncomfortable, he's got eyes like a whipped pup.
We've really got ourselves in a hell of a mess this time around. Bad Blanche the sell out vs Mumbles Boozman bought before he had a chance to be sold. There will be no winners coming out of Arkansas this November.
"Whipped pup" just about sums up boozer's public appearance personna.
Just remember Sept 1 or maybe the 6th is when fireworks begin.
I have, courtesy of a Congressional aid, a long list of veterans' benefits Boozer voted
against, listed by date and house bill. Some of the chickenhawk's votes are downright contemptible.
.
So is this a different Blanche running for Senate than the one who couldn't schedule debates with Bill Halter???
"There will be no winners coming out of Arkansas his November."
Not unless you want to get realistic, DBI, forget your grudges, and vote for Blanche. I just cannot see you acquiesing in the election of Boozman.
Not gonna happen plainjim. A man can only eat so many shit sandwiches. Let the Boozman chips fall where they may. After 6 horrible years with Senator Boozman maybe at least the real Democrats will wake up and understand supporting corporatist candidates who throw us under the bus as soon as they get to DC, is a bad bad thing.
Like it took Bush & Cheney being so absolutely rotten to get a black guy elected President, maybe after 6 years of the Senatorial partial-birth abortion that is John Boozman, Arkansas will send a real thinking, honest, progressive, Democrat to the Senate again.
I don't matter to a hill of beans, but I have lived my life seeking the best for me, my family and my fellow human beings. Best....not as in most profitable, but best in human behavior, honesty, and desire to do the right thing. I have run from crooks and con-artists and I will not support bad candidates for office regardless of the consequences. I might get fooled now and then like I did with my first votes for Lincoln & Pryor, but there will be no 2nd or 3rd time.
Good luck to the 2,889,449 other Arkansans out there.....you're gonna need it.
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