Now, exclusively for readers of Raising Kaine, we have the exact letter both campaigns received so that you can read with horror the "nastiness" of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce!
Dear Candidate:The Scott County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Scott County Virginia Star, would like to host a ?Meet the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum? (sharing of your visions and views on the Commonwealth of Virginia) with all candidates participating. The event will be held in Gate City at a date and time convenient to all gubernatorial candidates.
Our forum would consist of 8-10 questions provided to the candidates prior to the event with a three-minute response from each candidate along with a three-minute summary statement at the end of the program. The purpose of this forum is to educate Southwest Virginians on the views and leadership capabilities of each candidate.
If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact the Chamber office by calling 276-386-6665 or e-mail to scottcc@mounet.com by July 22nd.
We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.
Jimmy Dishner
Chamber President
Hmm, not exactly mean or nasty. In fact, seems like a friendly invite to me. Sorry about that guys. I know you wanted to see blood and gut-wrenching dialogue that proved indeed that Jerry had again "avoided a trap set by the Kaine campaign!"
Please! There was no trap, no meanness, no ill intent desired from this invitation. I am sure that Mr. Dishner believed that when you have a guy running for Governor who originates from a hometown, the Chamber of Commerce can at least host a debate for him. After all, the Chamber has hosted such debates for many candidates over the years, but none of those were pegged as "traps."
However, the Kilgore campaign must always have a controversy; sadly, this is how you avoid talking about all those other pesky issues you don't want to have to address until you have a media plan set in stone. Why else would an invitation to debate from your hometown become a topic of controversy and a subject of conspiracy theories?
Oh, yes, I recall the Kilgore campaign's problem. The Scott County Virginia Star is collaborating on this event, as they do every year. I believe that Lowell gave some insight into what that meant in a response on CC:
My understanding is that the debate is actually being sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, a group which Jerry has in the past been a guest of. The Scott County Virginia Star is merely a co-sponsor, as it has been for every election debate over many years now. Basically, the Star?s role is to provide refreshments, printed programs, etc. Big deal. Rex McCarty?s wife is not the moderator, not even a commentator. Hey, how about this: if it would make Jerry ?the Duck? feel better, why doesn?t he ask the Chamber of Commerce if they could make Willie Mae the moderator? That way, Jerry could hide under his Momma?s skirt if/when things started getting too hot! :>Comment by Lowell ? 7/9/2005 @ 5:12 pm
Well, it seems to me that the issue has become a little overrated. So what IS the problem? What's the vast left wing/anti-Kilgore conspiracy here? This isn't even an invitation for a "real" debate. Instead it is one of those messily Q & A formats you get to prep for, memorize, and rehearse.
I am sorry, but if I were a candidate for Governor, I would want every opportunity to demonstrate to the citizens how competent and capable I were for the position. Debates would be a good chance to show my ability. I would not avoid them, and I would especially worry about my image if I felt I could not even trust the Chamber of Commerce in my own hometown.
Jerry will have to deal with many people who don't like him or agree with him if he happens to succeed in his bid for Governor. He can't wait every time until he feels like someone is "on his side" before he makes a move. Is he going to avoid these conflicts every time, or is he going to face them straight on like a man?
Personally, I have a real problem with someone who wants to be the leader of my state but cannot face his constituents, his opponents, or his fears.
Sounds like another example of Jerry Kilgore thumbing his nose at his alleged "hometown." Its ok to go debate in another state, but not his hometown? Oh, and make sure no TV cameras are there.
I am starting to think he only calls Southwest Virginia home because his staff has not told him where his home is yet.