[Republican Red]

Mr. Shur said in an e-mail that Mr. Cardin "never confirmed his attendance."

From Ben Cardin's own official website:

NAACP Statewide Convention: Ben Cardin Accepts Invitation To Debate; Will Michael Steele?

Contact: Oren Shur, 410-366-1900

One month ago, the organizers of the Maryland NAACP sent a letter to Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R-MD), inviting them to debate at this statewide conference in Baltimore City on Saturday, October 28.

Rep. Cardin accepted the invitation. Word is that Lt. Gov. Steele turned it down.

Will Michael Steele really turn down an invitation to debate before representatives from ALL of the local NAACP chapters?

“While Ben Cardin has participated in more than a dozen candidate debates, Michael Steele has been avoiding a real discussion on the issues for more than a year,” said Cardin campaign spokesman Oren Shur. “The NAACP and its members are very important to Ben Cardin and that’s why he has accepted an invitation to debate before the statewide convention on Saturday. We expect to see Michael Steele there.”

[hawkaw]

I can't believe Cardin was that stupid.

[kevkrom]

I'd say debate an empty chair, but that would probably work better for Cardin considering his last performance.

With Cardin's dependence on keeping the "black vote", dissin' the NAACP is going to hurt him worse than if he showed up and got his clock cleaned again. Steele himself should take the high road, but supporters such as Michael Mfume should start using this to point out how Cardin doesn't respect black Marylanders.

[Kuksool]

Why on Earth would Cardin ditch a debate in friendly territory for a RAT? Perhaps, Cardin fears of not being able to connect culturally with blacks while Steele can.

[Thrownatbirth]

Cardin seems to be self-destructing in the final stretch.

[sitetest]

Dear Republican Red,

I'm not entirely sure, but I think that you're discussing two different NAACP debates.

The one that Mr. Cardin has clearly declined was scheduled yesterday night, or tonight, in Charles County, which is in Southern Maryland:

"Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin this afternoon declined to participate in an NAACP-sponsored debate with the other two candidates for U.S. Senate tonight in Charles County, Md."

The debate that you're mentioning from Mr. Cardin's website is in Baltimore City, and is Saturday (tomorrow) night:

"One month ago, the organizers of the Maryland NAACP sent a letter to Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R-MD), inviting them to debate at this statewide conference in Baltimore City on Saturday, October 28."

That being said, it doesn't look good for Mr. Cardin to have performed poorly at a debate, get mentioned in the WashPost as a "stammering congressman from another planet," and then turn down another debate by the NAACP of all people, a few days later.

Then again, maybe Mr. Cardin is trying to cut his losses from debates. You know, the first rule of holes - when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.


sitetest