A nice morning walk.
Speaking in front of the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg PA, Democratic Challenger Tony Barr made a clear distinction between what the GOP says and what they do. The brief talk in front of an enthusiastic group of Tony Barr supporters and TV cameras was halted several times for applause and chants of ‘Tony, Tony, Tony”.
At the conclusion of his stump speech, Tony Barr invited his opponent Bill Shuster (R PA-09) to debate with the following letter:
“Dear Mr. Shuster:
As we are both currently candidates seeking to represent the ninth district of Pennsylvania in Congress, I invite you to a series of debates during the course of the next five months.
The voters of Pennsylvania’s ninth district deserve the opportunity to make an informed and educated choice about who will best represent their interests in the Congress of the United States. Debates will provide a venue for citizens to learn more about their candidates than they are able to discern from short commercial spots or billboards. Debates will allow both of us time to clearly elaborate our positions on various issues of importance to this region. Debates will allow the residents of Central Pennsylvania to choose a candidate that they can feel confident in.
I propose a series of ten debates leading up to the general election in November. I propose that the debates are staged at colleges and universities in various locations around our large district. I propose that the debates be televised and broadcast on the radio and internet to allow citizens who are unable to attend in person access the content of the debates.
I hope that you will contact me at your earliest opportunity to discuss and arrange a debate schedule. I can be reached at the telephone number and address listed below, or by e-mail at tony@tonybarr2006.com.
Sincerely,
Tony Barr
Candidate for Congress,
9th District of Pennsylvania”
After reading the letter aloud to the delight of the assembled crowds, Mr. Barr took off down Allegheny Street to the Shuster for Congress campaign office, banner waving crowds and TV cameras in tow, only to find that the office was not open. Undeterred, the energetic candidate promptly walked the additional distance to Mr. Shuster’s district office only to have his letter refused. Apparently, only lobbyists and corporate contributors are allowed in the Shuster district offices.
