Posted on 06/19/2002 8:48:46 PM PDT by RCW2001
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Candidate Asks Opponent to Fight
Alabama Secretary of State Candidate Challenges Opponent to a Fist Fight During Debate
The Associated Press
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| MONTGOMERY, Ala. June 19 — A Republican candidate for secretary of state challenged his GOP runoff opponent during a televised debate to settle their political differences outside with a fist fight: "mano a mano."
State Rep. Dave Thomas became rattled Tuesday during the Alabama Public Television debate in which his opponent, Dean Young, repeatedly called him a liar and interrupted his answers. "We'll take this matter outside after this program is over," Thomas said. "I will fight for my integrity. If you want to challenge it and question it, we'll take it up mano a mano, buddy." The two restrained themselves from brawling afterward. Young provoked Thomas by trying to link him to campaign contributors of Democratic Gov. Don Siegelman, hinting he was somehow tied to alleged corruption in the administration. Thomas fought back saying he heard that Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore whom Young supported in a legal fight to display the Ten Commandments in courtrooms had considered seeking a restraining order against Young after they had a falling out. Moore did not consider getting a restraining order, said one of the judge's attorneys, Phillip Jauregui. Thomas said Wednesday he regretted bringing up the restraining order because he had not verified the allegation, but explained he just couldn't maintain his composure during the debate. "He rattled my cage. ... I was ready to unload on that character," said Thomas, an eight-year legislator. Thomas and Young, both 37, meet in the Republican runoff June 25. "Probably the biggest winner is whoever the Democratic candidate is," said Auburn University Montgomery political science professor Brad Moody. |
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