John Carter: I am the debate decider!

Nobody debates John Carter unless John Carter says they debate John Carter.

Carter has said repeatedly he won't get into full "political mode" until October, after Congress adjourns.

However, in a previous interview this summer, Carter went a step further, saying that Harrell or any other challenger aren't guaranteed the chance to debate him, despite their candidate status.

"People earn the right to debate me," Carter said in the interview. "I will determine how and not them."

Asked what would qualify someone for a debate, Carter said "credibility."

In a call to his office Wednesday, Carter's spokeswoman Amy Ellsworth said his comments were still an accurate reflection of his views.

Harrell said that was ridiculous.

"This is pretty basic. It doesn't have to do with my rights or Carter's rights. The voters have an absolute right to know where we stand," Harrell said. "I think it is bizarre that we're talking in terms of whether a candidate has a right to debate. We are running for office and we owe it to the people."

See, this is brilliant. Nobody gets to debate Carter unless he decides they're "credible". And the more credible an opponent is - and I'm sure Carter realizes that Mary Beth Harrell is as credible as they come - the less incentive he has to declare him or her as such. Heads he wins, tails you lose. It's good to be the king, isn't it?

Carter, not surprisingly, is a serial debate ducker. From a Harrell campaign email:

Carter has refused to participate in every other candidates forum held in the District. He's already refused to attend the ones held by LULAC, AARP and even the Rotary Clubs.

In their invitation to the candidates, KNCT made it clear that they will not produce the program if either Harrell or her opponent refuses to participate. Harrell has already accepted the forum invitation.

I can understand the TV station not wanting to go on with the show if it's a one-person debate, but I do hope the other organizations go ahead with their fora regardless. They have no ratings demands to worry about, and their mission is education. The attendees can draw their own conclusions if Carter chooses to skip out on them.

Anyway. Carter, you're a wussy. Eye on WIlliamson has more.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 17, 2006 to Election 2006 | TrackBack