Incumbent Congressional Candidate, Steve Buyer, appears to be vigorously ducking debates (h/t Blue Indiana) with challenger Nels Ackerson.
This isn’t terribly surprising. Buyer probably would not fare well against Ackerson whose resume is one of those that makes us all feel a bit inadequate and who could be expected to speak comfortably and knowledgeably on a wide range of topics. Buyer, by contrast, has spent most of his career as a good foot soldier for Gingrich and George W. Bush in Congress. Mostly, he’s ridden incumbency and brand-loyalty to a comfortable tenure in D.C. Now that the brand is showing some tarnish, even in the staunchly Republican 4th District, Buyer can probably only diminish himself by debating his views and his legislative history with the likes of Ackerson.
Still, Buyer’s self-interest not withstanding, folks in the 4th District probably deserve a Congressional debate every decade or so. Here is what Ackerson would like to talk about with Mr. Buyer:
“The economy, in its various forms, is affecting everyone by now,†he noted. “That includes loss of jobs, finding new and good jobs, and the related energy issues, like the high price of fuel. Another topic, which is really important to me, is veterans issues. We have not treated our veterans fairly. People are offended when they see how badly that’s been done.
“I look forward to the day I can stand with Steve Buyer in a debate and he tries to justify his treatment of our veterans.â€
I think it’s funny that candidates choose not to debate. I know how tough it is for 3rd party candidates to get invited to debates, so I find it bizarre that someone would shy away from them. Of course I understand that when your positions don’t resonate with the people, it’s better not to talk about them in public anyway. Shame on Buyer.
Incumbents regularly duck debates, because they have everything to lose. Shame on Buyer all the same. I hope Ackerson turns up the heat on this topic.
Of course, one-time challengers who were clamoring for debates when they were office hopefuls often turn into debate duckers once they’ve won. Down in IN-9, Baron Hill was clamoring endlessly for debates on gasoline prices in 2004 as the challender, when gas was around $2.75. Now that he’s the incumbent, and Libertarian Eric Schansberg wants to debate Hill on $4 gas, Hill is hiding out.