The primary battle in the 11th is once again having people talking. Chris Perkins refuses to debate his primary opponent Ken Vaghn but instead has opted to do a forum format. This brings up the suspicion that Mr. Perkins is not ready for prime time. What follows is a press release from the Vaughn Camp calling out Mr. Perkins and challenging him to 5 debates.
February 6, 2012
Vaughn Calls for 5 Debates in Republican Primary
Perkins Cancels Appearance at Feb. 8 Debate
HERNDON, VA – Republican candidate for Virginia’s 11th congressional
district Ken Vaughn today challenged his opponent for the Republican
nomination to at least five debates between now and the June primary. The
debates will help the voters decide who will be the better candidate to
challenge the incumbent, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), this fall.
Both candidates had previously agreed to an event scheduled for 7 pm
Wednesday, February 8, at Kings Park Library. But Vaughn’s opponent,
Chris Perkins, decided to withdraw over the format proposed by the event
organizers. The forum is still scheduled and Mr. Vaughn will answer all
of the panelists’ questions regardless of whether or not his opponent
chooses to attend.
Vaughn said, “Every candidate has an obligation to clearly state their
positions on the issues and to clarify those positions. I believe the
format should be decided by the event organizers, not by the candidates.
As a resident of the 11th district, I believe every candidate should be
willing to answer any and all questions in an open forum and we had a
place and time scheduled to do that; I hope he reconsiders and decides to
honor that commitment.”
For more information, please visit: http://www.VaughnForCongress.com.
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Filed under: Virginia Politics
I think your assessment is almost as disingenuous as Vaughn’s candidacy. I wonder whether Vaughn took that same position with regard to Radtke’s initial agreement to debate the Republican candidates, then pulled out at the last minute (after Allen declined)–under the guise that she didn’t like the format? Hmmm? Care to guess? Oh, that’s right: he had no problem with it. Would you also consider Radtke not ready for prime time?
Frankly, Perkins is a far more effective candidate, and I am glad you bring up the 11th District campaign, since it likewise gives me the opportunity to share the disgust I have for the recent Vaughn mailing on his financial standing. It’s laughable, really. He talks about being more responsible because he has more cash on hand…of course, while ignoring the facts. Specifically: 1. He ended with more cash by a mere ~$11,000, while he overlooks that he is considerably more in debt ($2,095 for Perkins; $80,000 for Vaughn–his own $$). 2. He has not raised nearly the same amount of funds–and, it is not even close (~$26,000 for Vaughn; ~$173,000 for Perkins, once you subtract candidate contributions and loans). Has Perkins spent more? Sure. He isn’t trying to build a retirement fund here: he’s running a campaign.
Who cares that Vaughn “calls for 5 debates.” That doesn’t mean a thing. The fact is Perkins is a far more viable and well-funded candidate; a man of principle and integrity. He isn’t running a hypocritical campaign on fiscal responsibility who is in debt more than he has on hand. Get a grip.
I read this on Facebook, and wonder if it is true:
“Carole Sarkuti:
When a candidate is “invited” to a Forum and he agrees but then this “forum” is later sent out to potential attendees under the name of a DEBATE and this change of status is not shared with the candidate/candidates then I fail to understand where you can place blame on Chris Perkins to step back. Perkins has said from the beginning that he was running against Connolly and he and Vaughn agreed in a gentlemanly fashion that they would not go “after” each other. To change a Forum to a Debate where all the questions are been asked by people who have openly said they support one candidate over the other smacks of collusion. I believe there is a question of intregrity and honesty that needs to be addressed here before nasty comments are made one way or the other.”
Unlike many of Perkins’ critics, I happen to live in the 11th district. Having seen Perkins field a number of questions across a broad range of topics, I can assure you that he can clearly articulate his thoughts and values.
After the divisive primary of 2010 and the agonizingly narrow defeat, I’d think Vaughn would see the importance of sticking to the issues and making the case for himself, rather than just trying to tear Perkins down. I’m sorry to see bloggers assisting Vaughn in these pathetic attacks.
Once again another blog post hoping to cause a split in the Republican party. Let Ken Vaughn win the primary on his own merits, if he can…
Nastiness gets people’s attention, but zero to forwarding the Republican party. Chris Perkins is a leader and the better candidate that can and will beat Connolly.
I’d like to KNOW what’s going on too!?!
COL[ret] Chris Perkins had agreed weeks ago with Mr. Ken Vaughn to ONLY do Forums and NOT Debates, after Mr. Steve Yeh had dropped out of the Primary Race on 1/17/12.
As a Member of Team Perkins, as well as an Executive Board member of The NVTP.com this “Event” planned for Wednesday 2/8/12 was supposed to be in a Forum format as originally presented to COL Perkins and Mr. Vaughn.
BUT that was changed, after COL Chris Perkins had agreed to be there. I find it to be very curious that the NV Tea Party leader changed his mind, perhaps in an attempt to make a Point or to support Mr. Vaughn and perhaps embarrass the COL?
Going BACK on your word is a matter of HONOR; and the COL is all about HONORING his word and he takes the word of others OR rather the “breaking of their word” as a show of Dishonor. This is NOT a GAME and COL Perkins has the experience of already working on Capitol Hill, while in the Army; and the drive to make a wonderful Congressman and a viable Challenger to REP Gerry Connolly-D-VA11.
The REAL TRUTH needs to be told!
This is “divisive” and “nasty”? A he-said-he-said about debates/forums? And what the heck is the big objection to debates?
“Nasty” would be going after Perkins’ military record, family, post-military career, etc. This is very straightforward politics. The Perkins backers seem to want Vaughn to just go away and play softball, which would be to the advantage for the person with more inside connections (Perkins).
Perkins isn’t *entitled* to the nomination, folks. We NEED primary elections to make sure the right Republicans get elected. Appeals to party unity lead to politicians who feel like they can do whatever they want in office. It’s why the Republicans felt safe in adding pork spending in the ’90s, and why they felt safe piling on spending under Bush.
Perkins could very well be someone well-versed in the issues who will be the kind of Republican we need on the hill. Or maybe he isn’t.
I’ll tell you one thing for sure: I’m glad Rick Perry’s first debate wasn’t against Obama.
Thanks, opditch! You really get it! Wishing that you were still here in VA, but good luck in changing MD!!!
Now Mr. Vaughn is calling it a Forum in his POST?
When COL Perkins received samples of the DEBATE questions from the “organizing team” and then realized that they were changing “the RULES” or making them up along the way. He then reconsidered his attendance.
Smells rather FISHY to me!?!
FYI~ Considering the COL, in his younger days was a fisherman [i.e. like The Perfect Storm] and a fellow Bay Stater, he probably smelled spoiled fish too? ME thinks!