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“We have a chicken suit and we may have someone wear it to stand in for Duncan Hunter in debates.” – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate, 52nd Congressional District
You Tube violates 1st Amendment, removes debate videos of Hunter in 2008
September 17, 2010 (Ramona) – The Ramona Forum will host a 52nd Congressional District candidates debate on Wednesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in the Sizzler banquet room, 344 Main Street in Ramona. Democrat Ray Lutz and Libertarian Michael Benoit will appear, but incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter has declined, according to event organizers. Now his opponents are turning up the heat.
Lutz and Benoit held a hunger strike earlier this month seeking to persuade Hunter to participate in a series of debates in September, before 60% of San Diego’s voters who vote by mail receive their absentee ballots in early October. The strike drew national medial coverage on CNN, but Hunter refused to budget. Hunter has insisted his legislative schedule does not permit that. But other San Diego representatives have returned repeatedly to their district in September; Rep. Filner has made numerous local appearances, for example. Hunter himself appeared at a Chamber of Commerce event in East County where only incumbent office-holders were invited.
Hunter has stated that he will debate Lutz at one event in mid-October. But the challengers contend that is too late.
Now his opponents are turning up the heat. A flyer advertising Wednesday’s debate has a photo of Hunter with “Declined” stamped across his face in red letters.
“We have a chicken suit and we may have someone wear it to stand in for Duncan Hunter in debates,” Lutz told East County Magazine.
In 2008, Hunter debated his opponents on radio and in person at a debate sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce at Cuyamaca College. East County Magazine videotaped that debate with permission of the Chamber and the College, and ECM owns the copyright.
Now YouTube has mysteriously removed our videos of the debate and has failed to respond to our emails demanding an explanation and that the videos be reposted immediately, since removal violates First Amendment freedom of the press rights. Hunter’s two opponents have also asked that YouTube (owned by Google) restore the videos.
Comments
Hunter decline to debate
Mr Hunter is right to decline any kind of debate with any other candidiate. It is a waste of his time that can be better spent with his family or preparing to continue to do a great job as a REAL politician. His record shows that he represent his constituents just right. He is a true conservative representing the values of the majority of the 52nd district residents and he does not need to debate other candidates that are no match for him anyway.
Hunter Jr has plenty of time for Debates in El Cajon
Mr. Hunter, who toured both Iraq and Afghanistan, and is by all accounts a fine Marine, shows a strange tendency to retreat in the face of his Congressional opponents.
No law requires Mr. Hunter to face his challengers, Mr Lutz and Mr Benoit, but our political system is founded on a sense of allowing the people to see and hear what each candidate has to say. The founders and framers saw fit to require each member of the People's House to stand election every 2 years, as opposed to the Senate's every 6.
But for Mr Hunter to claim that his legislative schedule would not permit an August or September debate appearance draws a guffaw. There were 5 weeks of August recess, beginning August 9th -- see calendar below, look at red letter dates.
The 111th Congressional term ends on October 8th, giving incumbents plenty of time to campaign prior to the November election date.
Mr. Hunter's excuse does not seem to add up.
Even Congresswoman Davis made time to appear in a debate with her primary opponent in 2008. Why cant Hunter be at least as brave as Ms Davis?
http://www.dsca.mil/programs/LPA/2010/2010%20Congressional%20Recess%20Sc...
Debate
Does Mr. Lutz really think his hunger strike and chicken suit will motivate voters in East County to vote for him. It causes me to wonder about his mental stability. Most of us think Mr. Hunter is doing a great job. Mr. Benoit has been running for congress forever and has always lost and the amount of votes he gets doesn't even deserve consideration for a debate. Why waste the voters time. Frankly, if I were Mr. Hunter I wouldn't debate either one of them, nor do I plan on attending the debates as I already know who I am going to vote for. Mr Hunter like his father before him is an execellent congressman that represents the majority of voters in East County.
I have to say I agree with
I have to say I agree with Mr. Urdhal. After seeing the footage of the chicken suit on the news, after hearing about the hunger strike, I am reminded of the times I have been out (in stores, malls, etc) seeing children throwing a tantrum because they aren't getting their way. I will vote for someone who is NOT willing to pull these childish antics. Maybe I'm wrong(I've been told that alot recently by many a liberal) but shouldn't we actually behave like adults when it comes to political campaigns? I'm hoepful that the majority of the votes will go to the adult who behaves like a "Grown up".