Monday, October 03, 2011

Foxx campaign rejects another debate

It looks like Charlotte voters will have just one chance to see their mayoral candidates debate this month.

The campaign of Democratic Mayor Anthony Foxx has turned down another offer to debate Republican Scott Stone.

Stone's campaign manager, Jessica Wood, extended the offer today in an email to Foxx and his campaign manager, Michael Halle. She said an Oct. 26 forum to which both had been invited was canceled, opening the date for a debate. She said Dave Wagner of WCNC had agreed to moderate a debate that would have been held at UNC Charlotte.

And if that date didn't work, she laid out six others this month as alternatives, including two Sundays.

"Unfortunately our schedule will not allow us to participate on such short notice," Halle emailed in reply. "Sunday mornings are reserved for church and Sunday evenings for family time. The other dates we have previously scheduled."

Halle said Foxx had never confirmed the Oct. 26 forum. Most of the other joint appearances are forums that will include city council candidates. The only direct face-off will be an Oct. 21 League of Women Voters debate.

25 comments:

Wiley Coyote said...

There's only so many times Mayor Fixxit wants to defend his streetcar to nowhere and the fact he has no clue what a riot is...

Anonymous said...

Gutless. Anthony boy just lost any chance he had of me voting for him. Which, is no big deal as he'll easily be re-elected. And he will continue as Mayor as long as the Republicans continue to throw these weakass candidates up against him.

Anonymous said...

I'm confused...if there was a date that both had an appearance (the 26th) that is now cancelled, why isn't Foxx available to do a debate? That day should be OPEN now, right? Jim?

Anonymous said...

Barring an unforeseen shift in voting patterns, Charlotte is unlikely to have a Republican mayor ever again.

Nor will Republicans ever hold a majority on City Council.

I prefer to vote for Democrats, but I don't like one-party rule.

Eventually, one-party rule leads to dysfunction and corruption.

Anonymous said...

Stone doesn't stand a snowball's chance in Hades. Our city is now the "city of food stamps", and anyone who stands in the way of a handout is not going to get elected by those who are now ensnared by the gov'ts grip on their lives.
Quite sad, but redistribution politics will win everytime in a city with so many non-producers.

Anonymous said...

Gutless is one way to describe this mayor. Uncle Tom is another. Local boy does well.Right

Larry said...

Perhaps they could have time to do a one hour on line Debate which I would be happy to set up, and they would not have to leave the comfort of their homes.

If they would just let me know I would be happy to set it up any time and the public could log right in and ask questions.

Larry 704.919.1230 I am an Independent and vote for the person.

Anonymous said...

I am a relocated resident, here by virtue of getting sick not by choice, so note the bias. I think it is rather petty for anyone to refuse to debate. Let your poliies or lack thereof stand on there own. However, I do notice a parallel with the national gov't and probably many other cities as well as Charlotte: Republican policies have left this entire country a mess. And the guy who gets to clean it up isn't moving fast enough despit this mess being decades in the making.

Dondhi Burrell said...

Gutless is posting comments anonymously

Anonymous said...

It is sad when the voters take a backseat to politics. Like another poster stated, I will vote for Stone even though I think he can't win. He is a little to devout in his party principles (for my taste) but Foxx should debate him for the sake of the voters to make an informed decision and to honor the process.
The fact that he wont is a serious mark on his character and I can't vote for him. That is not the action of a person who respects the voter or is in office for the right reasons.

Anonymous said...

What is the POINT of Debating someone that REALLY has no CHANCE of winning or getting 30% of the Charlotte vote.

Mayor Foxx is extremely bright and articulate. Why would he waste precious time on a debate about NOTHING.

He has about 58% of the Charlotte vote by the fact he is home grown. Also the city is one of the finest to live in so all the negativity is just stupid.

Anonymous said...

What is the POINT of Debating someone that REALLY has no CHANCE of winning or getting 30% of the Charlotte vote.
- What's the point of NOT debating "someone that REALLY has no CHANCE of winning or getting 30% of the Charlotte vote"

Mayor Foxx is extremely bright and articulate. Why would he waste precious time on a debate about NOTHING.
- Nothing??? What a farce. They are already sparring in the media over job creation. There's one topic. I guess jobs aren't worth debating at 10% unemployment... (rolling eyes)
He accepted a forum I attnded but wouldn't debate or even answer the questions in parallel with Stone. He made stone answer all the questions after he went on. Shameless and disrespectful to the public and to Stone. If he is going to spend an hour talking about issues, he surely can spend that hour debating

He has about 58% of the Charlotte vote by the fact he is home grown.
- So he is homegrown so he is a better candidate? McCrory wasn't homegrown and he finally retired after 14 years of total dominance of the seat.

Also the city is one of the finest to live in so all the negativity is just stupid.
- And that has what to do with either candidate... That also depends on where you live.

Anonymous said...

Jim. Any plans to cover the council race? I haven't seen one article about it. The Mayor role is nice, but the Mayor doesn't even vote in Charlotte. How about some coverage of the candidates that have a real impact on us Charlotteans!

Dale Harmon said...

What is the harm in debating? If the Mayor is strong and powerful and he's done so many things for the people of Charlotte, then debating the underdog would only enhance his stronghold as mayor of Charlotte. However, since is to coward to debate Stone, that only proves he's done nothing for the lower 2/3rds of the Charlotte society nor does he intend to. If you've recently relocated to Charlotte and do not like it or that the majority of the population is highly disgruntled with Foxx, Perdue, and Obama - the roads are open, you can leave immediately, no one will cry if you leave.

Anonymous said...

It's always the weaker candidate who wants to debate. Demanding a debate is an admission of being the weaker and less qualified candidate. And why in heck would we vote for the weak choice? Fox is smart, qualified, and serves the citizenry well. Stone is wasting everyone's time.

Anonymous said...

Policitians quit pointing fingers and stand up and do your job .. That is if you know how. Finger pointing only continues to allow our nation to fold.

Anonymous said...

"It's always the weaker candidate who wants to debate. Demanding a debate is an admission of being the weaker and less qualified candidate."
- This is exaggerated and value added. Not based on any factual information. Note the use of the word, "always." That is pure exaggeration.
"Demanding" a debate is "an admission of being the weaker" *AND* the "less qualified". Not only are are these statements absolutely not accurate, but the most obvious reason someone would want a debate is because they think their policies will appeal to voters more then their opponent's.
It is common for a CHALLENGER to want a debate and for an INCUMBENT not to want a debate because the incumbent is typically "stronger" by default. They typically have a significant advantage based on name recognition and experience. So the incumbent may often be the weaker candidate by defeault, but not be less qualified *simply because they request a debate*.
The incumbent is safer not to debate regardless of their ability, due to the nature of their incumbent status.
Your opinion that he has served the city well is another OPINION. "Fox" is actually spelled "Foxx" and it puts the validity of your opinions and your attention to politics in perspective for me...


And why in heck would we vote for the weak choice? Fox is smart, qualified, and serves the citizenry well. Stone is wasting everyone's time.

Anonymous said...

@10:05...

So you're supportive of someone who always takes the path of least resistance. Isn't that contradictory to making difficult decisions in difficult times? Or is it just about the candidate you like getting elected regardless of anything else? If another candidate were out there and would better address what you feel is best for this city, are you opposed to them being afforded the right to discuss the same issues in the same venue as your "man?"

Anonymous said...

IF stone was a Democrat running on a Democratic platform, he would stand a chance. He is not, he is a Republican and right now MOST of the CITY of Charlotte and AMERICA are really upset with Republicans and their NO...NO...NO to everything the President has said.

This is an election that will be the same year as the Presidential elections. Stone is wasting time talking about a debate, when Republicans have DONE NOTHING so far with their LEADERSHIP except create more intrusive GOVERNING!!!

Anonymous said...

No need to debate, the plantation voters will show up in mindless droves as usual.

Anonymous said...

Leave Mayor Foxx alone, he's a friend of President Obama!

Anonymous said...

"Stone is wasting time talking about a debate, when Republicans have DONE NOTHING so far with their LEADERSHIP except create more intrusive GOVERNING!!!"
This makes no sense. Party politics are irrelevant to Debating an opponent. Debates are part of the political process unto themselves. Regardless of party politics Stone has not served in the government so the logic that his party being guilty of just saying no to everything is even further removed from relevancy

Anonymous said...

@10:48.
I don't have a man. and I didn't endorse either candidate in my post.
Taking the path of least resistance was specifically my criticism of Foxx. So not sure where you got the idea that I support taking the path of least resistance.
-10:05

pjsmith said...

Being a newcomer to local politics, I would have like to have heard both sides and their ideas on where the future of Charlotte is headed. Too bad the current government cannot time the time to explain it.

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