Hahn Challenges Heineman to a Series of Eight Debates

Jul 07, 12:54 PM CST

David Hahn, our candidate for governor, has challenged Governor Dave Heineman to a series of eight debates before the election.

“During the Republican primary, Governor Dave Heineman said a significant number of debates were needed to give candidates more time to discuss key issues and to give Nebraskans a chance to see their candidates. Now that the primary is over, it’s time for the governor to debate me for those very same reasons,” Hahn said.

Heineman participated in six debates with the other Republican candidates for governor before the primary election in May.

“Open discussion on the key issues of the day is the foundation of a healthy democracy. A debate is simply our duty as candidates in this race,” Hahn said.

“Each debate should be broadcast on TV, radio and be made available online to give as many citizens as possible the opportunity to witness this phase of the democratic process,” Hahn said.

I wonder when the first meeting of the Task Force on Debates will convene.

– by eric | Send this to a friend

  1. Dave Heineman wanted as many debates as possible when he was the underdog against Osborne. Now that he has everything to lose by debating David Hahn – a debate in which he might actually have to take a position on the issues – he wants as few debates as possible. Heineman’s only real stance is that he’s for winning, and against anybody else winning.
    — Dave Sund    Jul 07, 03:09 PM CST #
  2. The AP reports:
    Heineman campaign manager Carlos Castillo said Heineman would be willing to debate, but no more than three times.

    If anyone’s interested, the New Nebraska Network anticipated this reversal by Heineman over 4 months ago.

    The World-Herald then reported Heineman’s call for six debates in the primary “to give more Nebraskans a chance to see the three candidates and to give the candidates more time to discuss key issues.”

    The NNN response:
    Six debates in the primary. Sounds like a good number. With all the candidates’ talk about giving Nebraskans an opportunity to hear about the issues from their own mouths, it seems supremely reasonable to expect that they will make sure voters have at least the same number of opportunities to see and hear them debate with Democratic nominee David Hahn before the general election.

    Best keep a record of all those statements on file, though, because both Heineman and Osborne are likely to consider themselves crowned governor if they make it out of the primary. Just watch as they abandon the principles espoused above – “more debates…more discussion” Heineman and “anytime, anywhere” Osborne will almost certainly try singing a different tune in the fall – - – we can’t let them!

    Let’s just hope they are able to put aside their fears and do what’s right for Nebraska by allowing a true statewide debate to take place in the general election. The people of Nebraska deserve and demand no less.

    How sad that Heineman is so predictable. Just imagine the most weasely and self-serving strategy, and you can be pretty darn sure that’s what he’ll do.

    What’s saddest is that it shouldn’t be up to Hahn or the Democratic Party to challenge Heineman on this. The Nebraska press reported Heineman’s statements in the primary. Where is their voice in holding him accountable for this blatant hypocrisy?
    — Kyle Michaelis    Jul 09, 08:22 PM CST #
  3. Today, Monday the tenth, David Hahn and Maxine Moul will be featured on KFOR’s “Lincoln Live” program.
    — Steve Hollister    Jul 10, 05:48 AM CST #
  4. Thanks, Steve. Our State Chair, Steve Achelpohl is joining Maxine and David as well. Lincoln Live is broadcast at 12:30 p.m. on KFOR, AM 1240.
    — Eric    Jul 10, 07:07 AM CST #

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