Photo Courtesy of Office of the Governor Rick Perry
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Sticks and stones might break his bones, but calling him names won’t force Governor Rick Perry to debate. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has the latest on the debate over the gubernatorial debate.
August 30, 2010 · Last week ads ran in 24 newspapers across Texas calling Governor Perry a coward for refusing to debate his democratic challenger Bill White. White didn’t run the ads. They were paid for by a political action committee called Back to Basics.
Nevertheless, Perry was in San Antonio on Monday to accept the endorsement of the Texas Board of Realtors, and he says he’s still not going to debate.
“Look, if that’s going to be the tactic, I’m going to stand up and call you names. And used failed tactics from previous campaigns -- I don’t think that what Texans are particularly looking forward to. They want to hear ideas,” said Perry.
Perry says he wants White to release tax returns from the days when he was serving in the Department of Energy during the Clinton Administration.
White says Perry is just trying to avoid being questioned about his controversial land deal in Horseshoe Bay and other issues. That’s why Perry is also refusing to sit down with newspaper editorial boards.
Perry says he’d rather spend that time campaigning.
“I’d whole lot rather be out there talking to the people of Texas than being hung up for who knows how many days to talk to all the editorial boards in the state of Texas. And I made the decision I’m going to go talk directly to the people in the state of Texas,” said.
There is a gubernatorial debate organized by the largest newspapers in Texas for October 19. White has accepted the invitation – Perry hasn’t. So White might end up debating an empty chair.
Perry’s reaction? “Great, they are free to do that.” |
