Whalen makes his case for the charge of Herseth ducking debates
This is the debate schedule that has been offered to both candidates. I have agreed to all. Ms. Herseth must not be allowed to take this election out of the voters minds any longer please forward this to your family and friends and let them ask the question, why is Ms. Herseth scared of open debates?
| Location | City | Venue | Date | Time | Herseth's Action |
| Oglala Nation Pow Wow | Pine Ridge | Public Debate | Aug 6th | 1:30-2:00 MST | Refused |
| Dakota Fest | Mitchell | Candidate Forum | Aug. 17th | 10:30-11:30 CST | Refused |
| State Fair | Huron | Candidate Forum | Sept. 2nd | 11:00-12:00 CST | Refused |
| SDSU | Brookings | Candidate Forum | Oct. 4th | 7:30-8:30 CST | No Response |
| Scotland VFW | Scotland | Candidate Forum | Oct. 5th | 1:00-3:00 CST | Refused |
| KOTA | Rapid City | TV Debate | Oct. 9th | 6:00-7:00 MST | Confirmed |
| McGovern Center | Mitchell | Candidate Forum | Oct. 11th | 6:00-7:00 CST | No Response |
| USDSU | Sioux Falls | Candidate Forum | ? | ? | Waiting on Herseth |
| Interchange Group | Yankton | Candidate Forum | Oct. 16th | 7:30-8:30 CST | No Response |
| SDPB | Vermillion | TV Debate | Oct. 17th | 8:00-9:00 CST | Confirmed |
| KEVN | Rapid City | TV Debate | ? | ? | Waiting on Herseth |
| KELO | Sioux Falls | TV Debate | Oct. 23rd | 7:00-8:00 CST | Confirmed |
| Chamber of Commerce | Yankton | Candidate Forum | Oct. 24th | 7:30-8:30 CST | No Response |
which are now available here.
Comments
Ms. Herseth is an opportunist. She seeks photo opp's, but shys away from letting the voters get to know her better. They voted for her because she's pretty, not because she even pretends to share their beliefs. She knows this. That's why she'll send an aide over to the Wells Fargo serving line at the Sioux Empire Fair and ask whether Ms. Herseth can serve free sandwiches for a while. After smiling and yucking it up with the fairgoers for a while, the photos are taken and she's off.
So she's got a job in Washington. What's that got to do with anything? She's been out East most of her adult life. However, she found time to tear herself away from her fellow East Coast liberals to run for office in 2002. Anon 12:48, your candidate can find time to serve sandwiches at a fair. Yet she refuses to debate. She's obviously running from something. Her philosophy and her voting record.
Sir, would you like one sandwich or two?
CHEERS to news that Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth and Republican challenger Bruce Whalen will meet in a series of three debates next month. Voters in the state are ready to hear what each has to say during this election season. Whalen insists Herseth has been dodging him, but we feel that three debates in October, all to be broadcast, will give the state’s voters a good idea what is on each candidate’s mind and in plenty of time before the Nov. 7 election.
Kind of kills his complaint doesn't it?
I'm all for debates, but, 13 sounds crazy. Whalen should just spend time researching and blasting policies.
It's a pathetic attempt by Whalen. Just debate her in the papers. Be a one man debate.
Really, Herseth is an empty suit keeping a Congressional seat warm. If she had the intellectual capacity to debate and defend the courage of her convictions she would be out there. But she doesn't.
Instead she jukes and jives better than Ali.
I remember when she came down to USD when she first ran. She didn't know squat about farm policy and didn't want to tell us her position on abortion or trade issues. She's a pretty face and that's it.
The biggest problem with the people who make those remarks is that Stephanie is female and Democrat. Maybe she could do something to get draw more national attention to herself though. I know, she can publicly insult the president like Thune did! That should work. It definitely did for Thune.
Both Miss Stephanie and Bruce were at a pow wow at the SAME time on the SAME stage. When they shook hands Bruce asked for a debate and Miss Stephanie tucked her tail and RAN.
A degree from Goergetown and a good pedigree doesn't mean anything! She had the money to buy her school work if she didn't choose to do it and I have some horses with GREAT pedigrees that were worth much less than the mule that we got when a donkey jumped the fence!
Miss Stephanie wants to debate ONLY in front of a camera. Now what does she have to hide?
Also, for a candidate of Bruce's embarassingly low caliber, 3 debates is plenty. The guy was caught red handed making up middle-school lies about her, and I would argue he's getting more debates than he deserves. And is he seriously arguing that a debate at the Scotland VFW is actually better/more "democratic" than a live debate broadcast to hundreds of thousands of homes on TV? Come on, that's silly.
Lastly, be careful what you wish for Bruce - Stephanie held her own against Janklow in debates and ran circles around Diedrich. You think you're ready for the major leagues?
She can't stand up to debate. Bill Janklow used to wipe the floor with her whenever they debated. She never came off as a credible especially on farm policy, taxes and social issues. The big three in SD.
She was also caught talking down to people on the stump. Her advisors have made their money by keeping her away from debates, that's for sure. And it certainly is a wise political move when in the lead.
However, it also goes to show that Stephi just can't hold her own in a non-scripted open forum and is just another pretty face, a Barbi candidate.
Also, why did she allow cut and run Jack Murtha to hold a fundraiser for her in D.C.?
Funny thing is, no one in SoDak watched or gave even the slightest shit about any one of the 6 they ended up having.
Whalen will have 3 televised chances to debate Herseth only a few weeks from the election, what more can he ask for? If he believes he has a chance to beat Herseth he will have his opportunity then, but as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for it actually might come true...
And if you would have used a stallion instead of a gelding, that donkey wouldn't have needed to jump the fence!
Chicken shit Daschle lost all 6 of those debates and the election.
People need to wake up. If Bruce wants to gain any points what-so-ever...he doesn't need debates...he needs a prayer and a new campaign manager.
3 debates is more than enough in my book.
We all know it's you Lee - you might as well just make a user name for yourself.
As for being intelligent, I'm sure she is. She just never learned to put a period instead of a comma in a sentence and to take a breath now and again! But her name and looks got her elected.
Scripted debates are boring to a certain degree. But a spur of the minute debate in front of a crowd would be real and would better reveal both personalities. If given that opportunity, it should have happened but didn't. I do see why Herseth wouldn't take a chance on a mis-statement if she feels she is going to win in a landslide. But we voters are all poorer for that.
Well, after that little remark, Steve – I'm not gonna hold them back anymore.
They guy is looking for free TV coverage because no one will give him money for TV commercials.
Herseth has no more obligation to debate Whalen than she does to debate Sibson. Frankly they seem to be about the same.
If you look at the press release it has the three confirmed debates listed. Whalen isn't ignoring the fact that those 3 are scheduled. He is asking for an open debate where SD Citizens can ask questions. Those are the interesting ones!
At least no one is going to accuse him of being just another pretty face. He looks like a poster boy for the Special Olympics.
Yes it has them listed so why is he whining that Herseth is ducking debates with him 2 days after she agreed to 3 of them. Sounds like he is trying to gain sympathy over a non-issue.