Should George Allen Debate Jamie Radtke and Tim Donner?

Posted by sgtcajones // October 21, 2011 // 0 Comments

Apparently Former Senator George Allen and his campaign do not believe so.

To date Allen has only agreed to one debate; an Associated Press debate with Democrat Tim Kaine which will be held Before the Republican Primary, and will not include any of the other Republican candidates.

Allen has turned down all other invitations to debate, including the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots’ offer to host a debate including all of the Republican candidates.

This is more than just political game playing. Allen has name recognition, money from rich contributors, and endorsements from party politicians. His opponents do not, so why should he risk debating his record in the primary?

Allen’s strategy so far seems to be to avoid discussing his record of the big spending party line votes that he cast when he was previously in the Senate, and instead try to ride out the primary with endorsements and contributions, hoping that the status quo will hold up long enough to make him the nominee.

Radtke’s logic is simple and straightforward; she says, “I will attend any debate anywhere, anytime George Allen is present. But without George Allen there can be no debate. Instead, it will be like a circular firing squad of his opponents.”

George Allen has tried to portray himself as the original Tea Party candidate, but now will not attend a single Tea Party debate. His refusal to attend the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots debate on 20 October caused Jamie Radtke to decline to attend as well, and this in turn has led to a fair amount of disagreement among the Tea Partiers themselves.

Should there be a debate without Allen or not?

The point to remember here is this; there is only one reason there will not be a debate with all the Republican candidates, and that is because George Allen does not want to debate his record. All of the other candidates are willing to go head-to-head with Allen.

In light of his previous record as a U.S. Senator, I believe George Allen owes it to the People of Virginia to square off with his opponents and let the People decide if he is the best candidate.

Allen should realize by now that in order to get nominated for Senate he is going to need the support of the Tea Party. By snubbing the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots he risks alienating a block of voters whose support he will surely need IF, and I say again IF he becomes the nominee; the People of Virginia get to decide this, not the party, the big money contributors, or the media.

I think that George Allen needs to come out and debate his opponents. If you believe as I do, then contact the Allen Campaign, your local Republican committee, and the Associated Press (blewis@ap.org).

About this contributor

Cameron Jones posted 37 articles on this blog.

I am a retired Army NCO and Constitutional Conservative. I served 22 years in the U.S. Army defending liberty and our Constitution, and I continue to do that today. My family and I have lived all round the world and currently reside in Fauquier county.