Foxx Campaign Responds:Opponent Pulls Out of Key Debate
09/28/2009For Immediate Release
September 28, 2009
Contact: Jill Santuccio, 704.361.8896
media@anthonyfoxx.com
Foxx Campaign Responds to Lassiter Pulling Out of League of Women Voters/WSOC/WTVI Debate
Charlotte N.C. – Staffers at the Anthony Foxx for Mayor campaign received word this afternoon that Anthony Foxx’s opponent John Lassiter has pulled out of a live, televised debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV). It is to be broadcast by WSOC-TV (Channel 9) from the WTVI on the evening of October 27, with numerous rebroadcasts slated for air on WTVI.
According to a news report posted on the WSOC-TV website, Lassiter said he disagreed on the number of rebuttal questions to be allowed in the debate, so he canceled his participation.
“The people of Charlotte deserve this debate and its subsequent rebroadcasts to determine who has the best vision for leading our city,” said Clark. “The rules are not our rules, but we respect them and remain willing to follow them. Our candidate is not arrogant enough to thumb his nose at a reputable community organization by demanding petty rule changes.”
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that has hosted debates for local races for decades. They set the gold standard in terms of debates in Charlotte.
“This behavior is reminiscent of former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole’s most recent campaign -- emphasis on 'former,’ “said Clark. “This maneuvering arrogates one candidate above the community. It is the same arrogance that has stalled progress in Raleigh and allowed developers to rule the roost for too long. On November 3, the voters will have a clear choice: a candidate with personal humility and great ambition for Charlotte or an eighth term of the same old leadership."
Foxx campaign manager Bruce Clark and deputy communications director Jill Santuccio attended an organizational meeting for the candidates with representatives of the League of Women Voters, WSOC and WTVI on September 18. During that meeting the format and guidelines for the debate were presented by the LWV and station representatives. No one from the Lassiter campaign attended the meeting.
“We are fully prepared to move forward with this debate, even if it means Councilman Foxx has to debate an empty chair,” said Clark.
Charlotte native Anthony Foxx, is a current at-large city council member and democratic candidate for mayor. He is a graduate of Davidson College, where he served as student body president and was a Root-Tilden-Snow Public Interest Law Scholar at New York University. Visit www.anthonyfoxx.com for more information.