Peoria Pundit

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Politics: Callahan tars and feathers Shock with chicken label

From Colleen Callahan’s blog, an accusation that 18th District Congressional opponent Aaron Schock is a chicken who keeps ducking out on scheduled debates:

“I believe the best forum for voters to see the candidates in their work clothes is in a debate,” Callahan said. “The debate format presents the opportunity for the candidates to not only respond but to react as well.”

Schock has withdrawn from several previously scheduled debates, often giving no reason for his withdrawal. As of today, the Schock Campaign has officially committed to exactly zero debates.

Barbecue chicken will be served at all twenty debates in honor of Schock and his reluctance to step up and debate Callahan on the issues. “We think it’s a fitting tribute,” said Terry Towery, Callahan’s campaign manager. “We’re barbecuing chicken because we are running against someone who is chicken to debate us.”

9 Responses to “Politics: Callahan tars and feathers Shock with chicken label”

  1.   postsimian Says:

    Oh that’s good. The serving chicken was icing on the cake.

  2.   diane vespa Says:

    Don’t know what you or Ms. Callahan is talking about. There is a debate scheduled for Sept. 10 which has been on the books for awhile. The Chamber of Commerce and the Schock office have both confirmed that this event is still on. Here are the details if you are interested.

    Peoria Area Chamber Candidate Forums

    Would you like to hear these candidates talk about the issues of importance? Don’t miss your chance to hear what the candidates’ positions on local and national topics. Join us for these candidate forums:
    18th District Congressional Candidate Forum
    Aaron Schock/Colleen Callahan/Sheldon Shafer
    Date: September 10th, 2008
    Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
    Location: Hotel Pere Marquette
    Live Broadcast on September 10th by 1470 WMBD.

  3.   jenjw4 Says:

    Is a forum the same as a debate? Or do the candidates just give speeches at a forum, vs. responding to what the other one says and to questions posed by a moderator?

  4.   diane vespa Says:

    It’s the latter, Jen

  5.   BJ Stone Says:

    “…Schock has withdrawn from several previously scheduled debates, often giving no reason for his withdrawal…”

    Diane wants to focus on the scheduled September 10th forum (btw, the Chamber website says FORUM, not DEBATE), but I want to know what she has to say about the above quoted sentence.

    What say you, Ms. Vespa?

  6.   diane vespa Says:

    maybe she is making that up too. ;)

  7.   Elaine Hopkins Says:

    See my blog, peoriastory.com for why Schock may withdraw from the World Affairs Council event on Sept. 10, as he already has the Eureka College event.

  8.   diane vespa Says:

    Three seems to be the commonly accepted practice.. and he has one confirmed for September 10, which would put him on track for 3 if he does one a month up until the election.

    Any more than that could be considered overkill, and certainly not in the best interests of the front runner, so it appears that his campaign strategy might be right on.

  9.   Politics: Schock campaign defends decision to not attend debate | Peoria Pundit Says:

    [...] Callahan campaign’s first press release on the subject of debates wrongly said “Schock has agreed to exactly zero debates.” That point was proved flat [...]