Bustamante challenges CBA debate participants to withdraw (MCClintock "reacts positively"

CNN ^ | Sept,. 18, 2003 | CNN News

[FairOpinion]

Next week is the only scheduled California recall debate that Schwarzenegger has agreed to attend. The debate, sponsored by the California Broadcasters Association, has been criticized for providing candidates with the questions in advance.

At a different debate Wednesday in Los Angeles, Bustamante asked the other participants to boycott the CBA event.

[kingu]

And I'd love to see them both against Bustamante, which I think is exactly why he doesn't want to attend. They will rip Bustamante to shreds just like happened in previous debates.

It'd be really nice if they kicked out Arianna and Peter Camejo so we can actually stand to listen to the debate. Ye ghads, if there's some voice I hate more than "screaching witch" Hilary it's Arianna.

[pogo101]

I don't think McClintock is a coward or (in fairness to those who avoid debates for reasons other than fear) a debate-ducker. He's always had an "anywhere, anytime, any format" approach to debates.

BUSTAMANTE is, however. Even with all those years immersed in debate-meant-for-TV, and decades in politics, he can't debate worth a dang. HE is the one ducking this one.

[EllaMinnow]

ping.

[Sabertooth]

I think this is disgusting for McClintock to go along with the Democrats and all gang up on Arnold.

On second thought, if they do, I hope the CBA holds the debate with THEIR empty chairs and gives the full time to Arnold.

Relax, the whole idea will go nowhere. With Schwarznegger ducking every previous debate, why shouldn't McClintock say he's considering this? This is all electioneering.

In the end, there will be a debate, and no boycott by anyone who wants to increase their take of the popular vote on October 7th.

Yes, I believe the election, as well as the debate, will go as scheduled.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Well, McClintock is disgusting. What do you expect?

Why is he disgusting?

[Sabertooth]

Debates aren't unimportant, but they aren't all that important either as a measure of how good a governor one can be.

Debates are important parts of campaigns, and campaigns and resumes are the means we have of determining how good an office holder some candidate might be.

Debates give an indication of how well a candidate can sell his message to the masses.

The willingness to debate is also a measure of the spine of a candidate.

[pogo101]

Our difference is one of degree, not kind.

Will you concede that someone can be a brilliant debater and a terrible governor?

[Dan from Michigan]

If you can't handle an off the cuff debate while running for governor, it means that you are WEAK.

[Rabid Dog]

Good application of logic there!

[cyncooper]

Turnabout is fair play isn't it? Arnold flipped the bird to the first three debates, and now they may return the favor for the final debate.

Oh?

Did he agree to appear at those debates and then withdraw?

No, this is not "turnabout", but it is typical for you to draw a false analogy.

[cyncooper]

As I said, let them all stay home, for all I care, and let Arnold get the full time on TV.

Brit Hume showed a clip of Schwarzenegger being asked about this and he said (paraphrase):

"I know they left an empty seat for me last night but I was told that it appeared all six seats were empty."

[JoeSchem]

I think this is disgusting for McClintock to go along with the Democrats and all gang up on Arnold.

I'm interested in finding out whether Schwarzenegger is capable of logical, rational, coherent thought about abstract concepts. Because if he isn't, then how can he be any kind of conservative, fiscal or otherwise?

I would think that a live debate with unrehearsed questions would be one way of discerning whether Schwarzenegger can think.

His refusal to participate in such a debate gives us the tentative answer of No.

[cyncooper]

You better add Arnold to your list of disgusting people - his campaign sent a letter to the CBA asking them to do away with the format too.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

His camp did not threaten a temper tantrum unless his demands were met. After all, he had agreed to appear and when he was getting hammered on the questions-in-advance plan, he proposed they dispense with that.

[PhiKapMom]

But a key difference is that Arnold didn't agree to those other debates, whereas all the major candidates HAVE agreed to appear at THIS one.

Exactly -- a fact which some McC people seem to be ignoring. Wonder why that is? Do they really support McC throwing in with Cruz to stiff this debate?

[FairOpinion]

Arnold has always been planning to attend the CBA debate.

What you are talking about his refusal to attend?

And as someone else pointed out, being a good debater doesn't mean you make a good governor, and vice versa.

[FairOpinion]

"11. Under Govs. Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan, California spent up to 20 percent of its general fund on infrastructure -- such as roads, bridges, colleges, hospitals and water systems. Now we spend closer to 1 percent. Proposition 53 on the ballot raises that figure to 3 percent. What are your positions on Prop. 53, and what will you do to invest more in California's aging infrastructure? "

===

The information in this question is shocking. Apparently Davis and gang is wasting even the money that should be spent on infrastructure. I saw an assessment, that California is either dead last, or one of the worst states in terms of road condition.

[cyncooper]

You're misrepresenting Schwarzenegger's position on taxes.

Tsk tsk

[FairOpinion]

Brit Hume showed a clip of Schwarzenegger being asked about this and he said (paraphrase):

"I know they left an empty seat for me last night but I was told that it appeared all six seats were empty."

===

LOL! Thanks -- I haven't seen the clip. I think they are way underestimating Arnold's ability. He seems to have a quick wit, to the point.