debate update

---

(6/20) Had a debate with the press at the Hughes Library in Greenville (right). At first we thought Paul's mic was off.
(6/14) No go on the debate Furman was setting up, it seems Paul's "staff has completely filled up" his schedule (see emails below). Darn the luck. Funny how the staff forgot to fill up the schedule on his website. Every evening but one was clear.
(5/28) Just got off the phone with Bob McLain of WORD, Corden and McCanless never responded to his inquiry about a debate, and it turns out I can't go on the program without a date. Jeter would debate, but they don't go for that kind of mixing at WORD. Which seems to be all talk.
(5/13) Sent out a debate inquiry yesterday and McCanless remains undetermined, but Corden flat doesn't want to go the prom. The spin is that I scampered off when I had the chance. Good luck with that.
(5/7) The party isn't going to organize a debate, the LWV is TBD, looking into another possibility but at the moment it looks like Corden may have managed to get out of it.
(5/4) Talked to Paul's campaign guy Ron at the party convention in Columbia, and he said they don't trust Griff to handle the debate and think it should be done by the League of Women Voters or the party.
(4/26) Back from speaking at the Spartanburg breakfast, and I encouraged everyone to encourage Paul to agree to a debate, which prompted one of Paul's campaign people to say they were now for it. So it looks like we'll be putting something together.
(4/9) Griff, the previous nominee, has been working on setting up a debate, but word now is Paul doesn't want to participate. Maybe send him some encouragement.

---

----- Original Message -----
Charles,
Sorry for the delay in answering; I have been on the road for two days.
Although I have been very interested in debating the issues with Ted slather it on, the staff has completely filled up my schedule for the few days left to the election with voter meetings, fundraisers, etc. If something opens up, I will contact you. maybe don't sit by the phone

Best regards,
Paul Corden

---------------------------------------------
New Direction. New Solutions. New Leadership. Same old BS.
[ http://www.CordenForCongress.com/ ]http://www.CordenForCongress.com/
---------------------------------------------

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Congressional Debate
From: "Charles Delancey" <@furman.edu>
Date: Thu, June 12, 2008 10:07 am
To: [ mailto:paul@cordenforcongress.com ]paul@cordenforcongress.com

Paul:

Would Wednesday or Friday evening work for a debate? Ted is really interested.

Charles DeLancey

---

Christian for Congress Press Release 8
To: Paul Corden, Bryan McCanless
CC: Greenville News, Greenville Journal, Spartanburg Heral-Journal, WSPA, Fox Carolina, WORD
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008

I had been pursuing a debate for the 4th US Congressional district Democratic primary on WORD radio, but was informed this morning by Bob McLain of WORD that my opponents Paul Cordon and Bryan McCanless had failed to respond to their invitations. Republican candidate Charles Jeter readily expressed his willingness to debate me on WORD, but a cross party debate during the primary is against WORD policy, and WORD does not afford individual candidates an opportunity to talk to voters absent cooperation by the other candidates within the party.

Having unsuccessfully pursued a number of debate avenues, and lacking a better alternative, I am proposing the candidates meet at the Hughes Library in Greenville, or such alternate venue as the other candidates may at their convenience propose, for purposes of, as my opponent Mr. Corden puts it, "an open debate about the issues that face South Carolina and the country", a lofty goal to which Mr. Corden "emphasizes his commitment". The Hughes Library has rooms available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week, as well as Saturday the 7th from 9-5:30PM. I am for my part available generally. Again failing a response from either of my opponents, I may reserve a room at the library and field what questions such media as may be present elect at their discretion to put to me.

I don't at this late date anticipate cajoling either of my opponents into an open public exchange, and entertain no great expectation of a response from either of them in this matter, but failing an opportunity to face them in a debate I can in the alternative only impress their reluctance upon the voters by such means available, and would further enjoin voters to harbor no illusions concerning what my cloistered opponents might accomplish in Washington, on the chance either might prevail against an opponent in November.

Ted Christian
ted@christianforcongress.com

---

From: ted@christianforcongress.com
To: Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, WSPA, Fox Carolina
CC: "William I Griffith", "Paul Corden" paul@cordenforcongress.com, "Bryan McCanless" bryanmc1947@cs.com
Subject: Concerning my 4th US district opponent's response to my recent debate inquiry
Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:30:58 -0400

Concerning my 4th US district opponent's response (forwarded to me by Mr. Hoover) to my recent debate inquiry:

I wasn't fishing for a protracted candidate flame war, but my opponent's spin that I scampered out of a debate with him last month is false. There were simultaneous Democratic party breakfasts April 26, one in Spartanburg and the other in Greenville, as events transpired I spoke in Spartanburg and Corden and McCanless spoke in Greenville. Our positions are reversed this month. Neither breakfast was claimed to be nor was in any sense a debate between the candidates. Further, the idea that I declined some sort of challenge with Corden is absurd on its face.

If William Griffith needs any defense, I have every confidence that his conduct in moderating or otherwise facilitating a debate among the 4th district Democratic candidates would have been above reproach.

I remain open to whatever arrangement my opponent may wish to propose for a debate, and continue to pursue avenues myself.

Ted Christian
ted@christianforcongress.com

---

From: Tim Dale [mailto:tim@cordenforcongress.com]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 2:04 PM
To: Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, WSPA, Fox Carolina
Subject: re: call for debate in the Democratic primary race for SC 4th Congressional District
(and how's this for "open" and "public"- it's a response to my email and I'm not on the list)

In response to a recent public call for a debate by his opponent Ted Christian, Paul Corden, candidate for South Carolina's 4th Congressional district, emphasizes his commitment to an open, public, and ongoing debate about the issues that face South Carolina and the country. unless it's open, public debate with me

The tone of Mr. Christian's message is curious considering that Mr. Christian turned down an invitation to appear with Paul Corden and Brian McCanless (the other two candidates in the race) at a candidate issue forum hosted by the Greenville Democratic Party on Saturday, April 26th. By doing so, Mr. Christian opted out of a valuable opportunity designed for conversation between the candidates and voters about the issues of the campaign. patently absurd

In fact, as Mr. Christian's e-mail indicates, the only debate proposed by Mr. Christian was to be moderated by William Griffith, who, according to Mr. Christian's own website, is the person who encouraged Mr. Christian to enter the race, is one of his major donors, and was present at his announcement, seemingly in an official capacity. Really? And Griff is maybe the most honest politician I've met. Hiss at him all you want.

Paul Corden issued the following statement this morning (to Tim?): "I continue to accept invitations to speak to groups of voters and members of the media, and, if schedules allow, participate in another discussion of issues with the other candidates. In the meantime, my primary focus is to continue to meet with voters all over the district to listen to their concerns and answer their questions."

What issues did you and McCanless "discuss" in your "issue forum", Paul? You can cook up whatever spin you want. Politicians like you are the reason I got into this circus in the first place. You won't be debating me. And I don't blame you.

Sincerely,
ditto
Tim Dale
Press Secretary
Corden for Congress
tim@cordenforcongress.com

---

From: ted@christianforcongress.com
To: "Bryan McCanless", bryanmc1947@cs.com
"Paul Corden", paul@cordenforcongress.com
CC: Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, WSPA, Fox Carolina, William I Griffith

Subject: 4th district Democratic primary debate
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 02:41:01

As you know, I would like to have at least one debate for the 4th district Democratic primary. The initial plan was for William Griffith to set up and moderate the debate, but the Corden campaign decided they didn't trust him. I have since made inquiries with the League of Women Voters and the local Democratic party, the LWV appears reluctant and the local party has stated it won't be hosting a debate, but I continue to pursue various avenues. Perhaps someone on the cc list other than Griffith would like to be involved in an official capacity.

Neither of your campaigns have to my knowledge made any effort at organizing a debate, and your response on the subject has been between tepid and negative. Do you or don't you want to have a debate, and if you don't is it because

1. you're concerned the voters will become better informed than you would like them to be
2. the dog ate it
3. nobody's going to beat Inglis anyway

If you're going to leave the initiative to me, and particularly if you're going to actively oppose a debate, then it seems the voters should be under no illusion you will make much of a difference in Washington.

If you do want to have a debate I'm confident we can put something together, the Republicans held one for the 4th district two weeks ago. I'm open to suggestions.

Ted Christian
ted@christianforcongress.com