Dorman Challenges Fallin to Six Debates Across State--One Debate Not Enough

[Midtowner]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 11, 2014

CONTACT: Alex Kaplan, Joe Dorman for Oklahoma

DORMAN CHALLENGES FALLIN TO SIX DEBATES ACROSS THE STATE
One Debate Scheduled Is Not Enough For Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Joe Dorman, Democratic nominee for Governor, called on Mary Fallin today to participate in a series of six debates across the state. He said while he is glad she has agreed to a debate on October 2nd in Stillwater sponsored by OSU, OETA and the League of Women Voters, more debates are necessary.

“Governor Fallin accepted this one debate invitation, but it’s simply not enough for Oklahoma voters. She and I have very different views about how to lead Oklahoma over the next four years. Voters will not be adequately informed about our differences on the issues with only one debate, nor will enough voters see the debate.”

“When Fallin ran for lieutenant governor twenty years ago, she said her opponent was avoiding debates and ‘we are beginning to wonder what she has to hide.’ I say the same thing to Fallin today — are you afraid to debate me?” said Dorman. “By refusing to commit to any more debates, Fallin has flip-flopped on yet another issue. Apparently a generation in public office has made her too timid to lead Oklahoma.”

Dorman called for an additional five debates before the election, each in a different quadrant of the state and in different formats.

“Oklahomans deserve opportunities to hear our positions on the issues without traveling long distances. By having more debates across the state, we can ensure Oklahomans are equipped with the necessary information when heading to the voting booth,” said Dorman. “I would also like to see one debate geared towards social media to reach concerned Oklahomans who are active online and cannot travel in person to a debate because of physical or financial limitations.”

Dorman said Oklahomans have clear choices this November and should understand the ramifications of their votes.

“With Governor Fallin, Oklahoma will continue failed ‘Fal-esi’ policies, such as one size fits all standards and tests, flawed A-F school grading, a lack of respect for teachers, inadequate education funding and underfunded classrooms,” said Dorman.

“If I am elected, Oklahomans will have a strong leader who has a real plan to increase education funding and implement standards that actually use the expertise of Oklahoma educators. I am the candidate who is in touch with Oklahoma values and understands the everyday concerns of our citizens. We do not have that with Mary Fallin. Oklahomans deserve better, and we can do better this November,” said Dorman.

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[Midtowner]

In order to not just be the guy who cut/pastes something and leaves it there, let me provide some thoughts here. Dorman is a damn smart politician. He knows Fallin is a terrible debater and how if all she does is read from talking points for six debates (which is all she ever does, she doesn't do anything dangerous like think independently), she's going to turn off a lot of voters. Fallin's camp knows this and their probable approach to this request is to ignore it. They think they're the front runners here, but they'd better be careful. Fallin won her Lieutenant Governorship way back win because here then "front-runner" refused to debate her.

This is shaping up to be a tighter race than most would think.

[ljbab728]

http://www.okctalk.com/politics/3846...vs-fallin.html

[gopokes88]

Eh six is too many. I prefer the classic three.

[sacolton]

She won 75% of the Republican vote. She's got alot of clout with Special Interests who love having a puppet that can make them money. It will be a miracle for Oklahoma to become Democratic again.

[Dennis Heaton]

She knoooooooooows if she agrees to more than one debate, she is...how should I say this...screwed!

[Bunty]

Eh six is too many. I prefer the classic three.

Then only watch three of them.

[Edgar]

Fallin won't debate. She is smart enough to know she isn't.