Posted on 10/22/2004 6:20:37 PM PDT by Samwise
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A northeastern Indiana congressional candidate said she abruptly ended a debate because she got stage fright.
Democrat Maria Parra walked off a television stage Thursday, ending what would have been her only debate with incumbent Republican Mark Souder in the 3rd District congressional race.
"I'm not used to being in front of the camera. ... I couldn't get my words out. I was just overwhelmed," she said after the aborted debate, which was being filmed at WPTA and would have been aired this weekend. The matchup has not been rescheduled and is not likely to be, The Journal Gazette reported Friday.
Parra said she "absolutely" thought backing out of the debate would hurt her politically, but hoped people would understand.
Parra is a first-time candidate. Souder has represented northeast Indiana for nine years and is running for a sixth two-year term.
In the first attempt to record the debate, Parra did not make it through her opening statement before leaving the set.
Officials asked observers to leave the room, and the taping began again.
Both made it through their opening statements, but when Parra was given a minute to respond to a question, she left her seat, saying, "I can't do this. I just can't do this. I'm sorry."
Souder said it is common for inexperienced candidates to be nervous in front of cameras and during a debate. He said that's why candidates usually only spar over issues during debates rather than making personal comments.
He said ending the debate prematurely is not "a commentary on her knowledge of issues, in particular. I believe she was just very nervous."
Parra spoke explained her actions to Fort Wayne station WPTA-TV after the aborted debate.
"You just wouldn't believe the stress level that I've been under and I just cracked," Parra said. "You know, I just couldn't get my thoughts, you almost have to go through stage fright to understand it."
Not yet ready for prime time.
LOL!
Well, an honest democrat.
Awwww, this poor little frightened Democrat. Shouldn't she be allowed to phone in her debate responses from home?
Souder is being extremely gracious, it seems.
If you can't manage crowds or cameras, how are you going to stand up and fight for legislation?
This is from her website:
"Endorsed by:
Everybody who knows Maria"
I suspect she's lost a few with that performance.
http://www.mariaforcongress.com/
She'll get the sympathy vote and win.
I feel for her--I really do. I clam up and can't talk to strangers, but I know my limitations.
"I'm not used to being in front of the camera. ... I couldn't get my words out. I was just overwhelmed,"
"You just wouldn't believe the stress level that I've been under and I just cracked," Parra said. "You know, I just couldn't get my thoughts, you almost have to go through stage fright to understand it."
And she wants to be rewarded with an elected office?
I cannot find words to describe...
He comes across that way.
She can run, but she can't hide.
Gee, if it wasn't for a national office I'd have some sympathy.
OK, I feel sorry for her. At least until she demands a Do-over in the name of fairness.
Kerry couldn't think during 9/11. See a pattern?
This was posted earlier today. I think she is looking for a sympathy vote. She is playing to all of the people who find public speaking hard to do. Just another democratic trick in my opinion.
In Ohio, Democrat Anderson (a former hostage) also ran away from the debate after hearing the first question. He claimed it was because his opponent quoted him or something like that.
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