Two can play that game
As we all know by now, the major-party gubernatorial candidates Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson signed an agreement for three debates that exclude Green Party nominee Jim Lendall and independent candidate Rod Bryan.
Now the Journalism Club at the University of Arkansas at Monticello has announced a "South Arkansas" debate featuring only Bryan and Lendall. The regional reference appears to be pointed allusion to the fact that Beebe and Hutchinson's deal includes debates in Jonesboro, Fayetteville and Little Rock, neglecting the Southern half of the state.
According to the UAM Journalism Club press release:
The Journalism Club also extended invitations to Democrat candidate Mike Beebe and Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson, though the two previously indicated in press releases that they would only participate in debates co-scheduled between the traditional candidates. The Journalism Club awaits a final determination on their availability.
AETN, the statewide public television network, also invited Beebe and Hutchinson to its gubernatorial debate scheduled for Oct. 22, but they declined, leaving that forum to Bryan and Lendall as well.
Full UAM Journalism Club press release after the jump.
NEWS RELEASE
Journalism Club Brings Gubernatorial Candidates to Campus
MONTICELLO – The Journalism Club of the University of Arkansas at Monticello announces “The South Arkansas Debate” to be held in the University Center Capitol Room Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Rod Bryan and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Jim Lendall agreed to participate in the only debate to be held south of Central Arkansas.
“I am glad the Journalism Club is able to bring this debate to campus and give the community the opportunity to gain more insight into the campaigns,” Journalism Club President Brook Burger said. “It will be good for students and others to hear from two candidates that they, otherwise, may have never heard about. I think it's wonderful that Rod Bryan and Jim Lendall could find the time in their campaigns to visit our campus. Hopefully people will attend the event and feel compelled to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.”
The Journalism Club also extended invitations to Democrat candidate Mike Beebe and Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson, though the two previously indicated in press releases that they would only participate in debates co-scheduled between the traditional candidates. The Journalism Club awaits a final determination on their availability.
Beebe and Hutchinson previously debated in Jonesboro, and plan to also debate Oct. 4 in Northwest Arkansas and Oct. 17 in Central Arkansas. Bryan and Lendall will also debate Oct. 22 in front of an Arkansas Educational Telecommunications Network audience at the University of Central Arkansas.
“I think it's important to bring as many candidates as possible to college campuses because it encourages participation among an age group that oftentimes seems uninterested in the political process,” said Michael Ford, vice-president of the Journalism Club and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Voice.
The evening will begin with a 15-minute presentation on Act 1, the Arkansas Higher Education Technology and Facility Improvement Act, which would provide $4.1 million to help UAM update its campus. After the Act 1 presentation, moderator Scott Kuttenkuler will lead the candidates through an hour-long debate with a question-and-answer forum following.
The Journalism Club encourages South Arkansas residents to attend and voice concerns on issues important to the region. For more information, contact Journalism Club adviser Ronald Sitton at (870) 460-1138 or sitton@uamont.edu.
Comments
I know Ron Sitton does a good job with The Voice--I didn't know he was also a rabble-rouser, too. Keep it up, Ron!
Posted by: Archaeopteryx![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 04:28 PM
Lendell or Bryan, who is the biggest Republican hatchetman?
Posted by: FreedomCounty![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 04:42 PM
FreedomCounty,
What part of "Freedom" don't you get? Just because you're not voting for Bryan or Lendall doesn't mean others should be denied to vote for them - or hear from them in debates, press, etc. Stop whining about the fact that I'm not voting for your candidate. Boo-hoo. Please, You sound like my 2-yr-old.
Posted by: R4G![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 04:59 PM
I'm voting for either Bryan or Lendell. I hate Bush and A$a, but I'll be damned if I'll support a corporate slut like Beebe.
If A$a wins, so be it, the Dems deserve it. Perhaps a few more years of Republican leadership will stiffen their spines and right their minds.
It's called tough love, folks. All you people who are voting for Beebe simply because he's not A$a are enabling and rewarding the wrong behavior. I wouldn't raise my kids like that.
Posted by: Roland![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 05:01 PM
When and where is the Little Rock debate? Will it be open to the public?
Posted by: stogster![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 05:25 PM
Hey, this sounds like a great deal to me. When the folks in SE Arkansas (and the rest of the state) get a glimpse of Lendall, they for sure will never give him any credibility. The same goes for Bryan as well. Let the good old boys down in Monticello get a look at the bicycle he'll come riding up on, or his catfish oil burning old foreign car, he'll be toast in their eyes, too.
Posted by: Old Blue Eyes![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 06:34 PM
Find the "rabble-rouser" in my blog at www.southerner.net.
Posted by: sitron45![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 06:42 PM
Yes, our governor must look like a redneck. I was completely in the dark until you shared that criteria with me. You are a highly educated voter, sir.
Posted by: Roland![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 07:43 PM
I am not a big Beebe fan, as I have said before, but I would vote for anybody but Assa!
Voting for a candidate who has zero chance is admirable, and tempting, but is in the end a wasted vote.
Posted by: BlueRidge![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 10:15 PM
BlueRidge:
We may not win the gubernatorial election this year, but a vote for the Green Party candidate is not a wasted vote. If we can get at least 3% of the vote, we can field candidates in every partisan election in the state, giving folks real choices for the next 4 years. By then, we should be viable to continue as a party.
Think of that next time you grumble about the lack of choices on the ballot.
Posted by: Jim Lendall![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 10:26 PM
Jim,
I hear you, man...
Rod,
I hear you too...
I hate this for the third parties and indies...
Both of you dudes seem to have a good and honest try working...I, along with many, many others appreciate it.
I hope the 3%rs roll out...a third party on the ticket would help...
Posted by: rosso![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 29, 2006 11:43 PM