In response to our post on the breakdown of debate negotiations between Delegate Saqib Ali and Senator Nancy King for the District 39 Senate seat, Ali wrote the following.It's unfortunate that the plans for the debate are not proceeding further. I was a bit taken aback by Nancy's demand for pre-scripted questions.
Once again, we are delighted that Saqib Ali believes this blog to be a worthy forum for political dialogue! But your author is not in the habit of imposing terms on candidates and insisting that they accept them. If Delegate Ali and Senator King voluntarily agree to an online debate, we will offer the blog for that purpose. If not, that is a choice for the candidates to make - and, of course, to exploit.
Since the plans for live debates don't seem to be moving forward, I would propose that Nancy and I debate right here on MPW.
I am happy with whatever format Adam deems fair and appropriate. He can ask the questions if he wishes. I am happy to answer any questions. Nothing is off-limits.
- Saqib Ali
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Ali Calls for MPW Debate With King
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7 comments:
This is getting sillier by the minute.
Tom Steele
In light of the fact that my opponent for the District 2 council seat, Craig Rice, said on Maryland Politics Watch on June 4, "please don't expect another response from me on any front," and in light of the fact that Senator-to-be Ali's opponent refuses to debate him, I would be happy to debate Ali on any subject. Our districts obviously overlap. Plus, in that I have completed close to 25,000 cases in Maryland Courts, I am used to non-scripted, surprise questions.
As I was saying...
Tom Steele
I mean, who reads this blog, aside from maybe a million people?
Candidates for public office who say they will answer only pre-screened questions and who say, "please don't expect another response from me on any front," to their opponents believe in free speech, so long as it is their own. They don't believe in the free speech of the voters or their opponents, only their own. I don't think candidates who believe only in one-sided free speech can be elected in Montgomery County.
I don't recall the Presidential candidates getting their shorts in a twist when, say, the League of Women Voters uses the same format being proposed here.
And by the way, these are not "pre-screened" questions; the proposal put forth by the King campaign was that the questions would be mutually agreed upon prior to the forum. Big difference.
Honestly, quit the whining and get on with it.
The kids in Montgomery County schools don't get to pre-screen the questions they are asked whether they are wearing shorts, dresses or long pants. Neither do public officials get to prescreen events--the BP fiasco is an example. If you can't stand the heat of a question you didn't approve or can't stand the heat of being expected to respond to a question about your voting record as Rice couldn't, you need to GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!
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