California Attorney General Jerry Brown can’t abide billionaires like Meg Whitman trying to buy elections, or something like that, so he’s on a tear, once again, this afternoon. Remember when Jerry Brown issued a challenge to his Republican opponent in the 2010 gubernatorial race?
Well, it looks like he’s not waiting for her.
All the deets:
Brown Accepts 10 Debate Invitations, Calls on Whitman to Meet Face-to-Face
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2010
Oakland – Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown today announced that he has accepted invitations to 10 debates or town halls around California, all sponsored by independent organizations interested in an open and honest campaign for Governor.
“We are only a few days into the general election campaign, and already our airwaves have been overrun with millions in misleading and deceptive attack ads,” Brown said. “The people of California deserve better. They deserve to see their choices for Governor stand side-by-side and honestly discuss the challenges facing our state.”
The morning after his victory in the Democratic primary, Brown proposed that he and Republican nominee Meg Whitman hold 10 joint town hall appearances around the state to discuss job creation, schools and the state’s budget mess and to answer questions from voters. Whitman refused Brown’s invitation to those jointly-planned events, but public interest groups and news organizations from around the state have stepped forward to offer the people a chance to see their candidates in person.
“Partisan bickering and attack-dog politics have created an awful mess in Sacramento, and I think Meg and I now have an opportunity to change the tenor of politics in California by conducting a responsible campaign that shows the politicians that there is a better way to do
business,” Brown said.
“Every one of these debates is hosted by a credible organization, guaranteeing a fair and open forum,” Brown continued. “There is no reason not to participate, no reason not to say what we really mean, and show the voters who we are.”
“I am calling on Meg Whitman to treat voters with the respect they deserve. It’s time to step out from behind consultant-scripted commercials full of falsehoods and distortions and debate.”
The two campaigns have received many formal requests for debates at locations around the state. Brown has agreed to ten, several others remain under active consideration. Brown accepted invitations for joint appearances from the following outlets, assuming reasonable terms that provide for open and fair discussion can be negotiated with the Republican nominee:
Faith Forum
July 31
CPR/KCRA/Univision/Sacramento Bee/UC Davis
September
CBS
TBA
KTVU/Chronicle/KQED
September 7
CalBuzz/Flash Report/Calitics/SJSU/Commonwealth Club
September 11
PPIC/CBA
October 5
Dominican University/NBC
October
La Opinion/KPCC
October
The Women’s Conference
October 26
ABC/League of Women Voters
TBA
