Blogger's Note - Behind the scenes, the McClintock Camp and the Brown Camp had been negotiating about holding debates. They last spoke on Tuesday and were slated to speak again today... until Todd Stenhouse sent out this email.

This the lastest attempt by the Brown Campaign to try and score some cheap political points. Make bank that the Auburn Journal will certainly weigh in on the side of Brown on this one.

McClintock's Camp initiated the discussions about debates and offered debates in all nine counties in the district and the format that they recommended was Lincoln-Douglas style. Lincoln -Douglas debates provide opportunities for in-depth issue discussion, not just soundbytes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 19, 2008
CONTACT:  Todd Stenhouse, 916-397-1131, toddstenhouse@comcast.net
BROWN CHALLENGES McCLINTOCK TO FOUR DEBATES IN CA 04

Offering more than "empty partisan sound bytes," Brown Proposes 3 Subject Specific, Moderated Panels/Town Hall Forums

Roseville:  The Charlie Brown for Congress campaign today challenged Southern California State Senator Tom McClintock to a series of four debates in the race for the 4th Congressional District.

"This is indeed a change election in CA 04," Brown said.  "And the first change we are going to make is to open up the process so that every voter can compare and contrast the candidates who purport to represent them.  For 16 years, John Doolittle denied voters that opportunity."

Blogger's Note: Charlie, bring your ACLU Card and your code pink photos... McClintock will show up with his NRA Card and his endorsement list. BTW - Doolittle has served for 18 years, are you sure you are ready for this? 

Under Brown's proposal, the debates would occur weekly beginning on October 8th--each featuring a 90 minute, moderated panel or town-hall format, leveraging all forms of media (tv, radio, internet) to reach all corners of the 17,000 Square Mile 4th District. 

Blogger's Note - Under McClintock's proposal there would have been at least one debate in every county in the 4th CD. 

"This race is shaping up to be among the most closely watched in America this year," said Brown Campaign Manager Todd Stenhouse.  "We are committed to partnering with community organizations and media outlets across the Sacramento, Chico, and Reno markets to ensure every voter is able to access every debate."

Blogger's Note - Based on Charlie's behavior, CA-11 is looking to be much more exciting.

Brown has proposed that the first three focus on specific policy areas---National Security, The Economy, and one on other Domestic Policy areas--including Education, Healthcare, Social Security, the Environment, and Local concerns.  Brown also calls for a longer debate in the 4th District's less densely populated northern counties, covering all policy areas.  Brown has offered to work with the McClintock camp in finalizing sponsors, moderators and panelists for each debate, with the full proposed schedule below:

Debate 1:  National Security, Week of October 8, 2008, Placer County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 2:  The Economy, Week of October 15, 2008, El Dorado County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 3:  Domestic Policy, Week of October 22, 2008, Nevada County, Moderated Panel/Townhall

Debate 4:  All Policy Areas, Week of October 29, 2008, North Counties Region, Moderated Panel/Townhall

"Too often, candidates skirt complex policy questions with empty, partisan sound bytes," Brown said.  "That's why so many of the problems we are facing in this election year aren't new and it's also why so many have gotten worse."

Blogger's Note - Too Often Charlie Brown has a problem finishing a sentence. Therefore, he needs scripted debates with the questions known in advance. If Brown is serious about a non-soundbyte debate then why is he ducking the Lincoln-Douglas format?

"The stakes are too high in this election for more politics as usual," Brown continued.  "That's why we want to give ample time to each policy area, and why our first debate must cover the highest priority of the federal government--our nation's security."     

After being limited to just one debate with John Doolittle in 2006, the Brown campaign added that both camps have already received several debate requests.  Brown's proposal matches the total number of debates McClintock had with Lt. Gov. John Garamendi in 2006--his last campaign for statewide office.

"We realize that CA 04 is a much smaller pond than McClintock's prior campaigns in Los Angeles and across the state of California." Stenhouse said.    "On behalf of Charlie Brown and everyone who is proud to call this region their home, we hope McClintock will accept our offer."

Blogger's Note: A little too late for good faith negotiations now!

Retired Lt. Col. Charlie Brown spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, flying rescue helicopters at the end of the Vietnam War, piloting reconnaissance missions around the world, and coordinating a variety of intelligence collection assets.  His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Sikorsky Winged S, 7 Air Medals, and 5 Meritorious Service Medals.  Charlie's wife Jan is also a veteran, and their son has served four rotations in Iraq with the Air Force.  A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Brown also owns a California teaching credential and served 8 years on the Professional Staff of the Roseville Police Department.  He is a candidate for Congress in California's 4th District.

Blogger's Note: Note that Brown is no longer referring to himself as a Vietnam Vet. Maybe his biography should include notations about his use of the City of Roseville E-Mail system to send out anti-war epitaths as well.

PO Box 368, Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 782-7696;  E-mail:  info@brown4congress.org
www.charliebrownforcongress.org