October 2, 2006

Quack! Sen. Henry Ducks Opponent, Refuses to Debate

State Sen. Doug Henry is ducking a debate with his Republican opponent, denying voters of the 21st district a chance to hear both candidates address key issues facing the district and the state over the next four years. Republican challenger Bob Krumm, whose frequently updated weblog stands as evidence of his willingness to publicly discuss the issues, and to engage in debate, issued a press release today noting Sen. Henry's debate cowardice - and pointing out that two out of every three registered voters in the district - more than 66,000 voters - were not even registered in the 21st district the last time Sen. Henry participated in a public election debate, which was a dozen years ago during the 1994 election campaign.

Sen. Henry, 80, is the only Senate incumbent facing a general-election opponent this year, and it appears that he believes those 66,000-plus voters don't deserve a public debate between the two candidates for the senate seat.

Or he's afraid to debate Krumm, 40, a West Point graduate and Major in the Army Reserves whose campaign website has set a new benchmark for how candidates of the future will use modern technology to engage with the public on the issues.

Krumm says he has made several attempts to convince Sen. Henry to join him in a public discussion of the issues, to no avail. Krumm reports that Sen. Henry's campaign manager, Nick Bailey, told Krumm via telephone late last week that the senator would not debate because "it wasn't in the campaign plan."

Krumm: "On September 13th, I sent a letter to Senator Henry requesting that we schedule debates so that voters can see where we stand on the important issues facing our state. After not receiving a response, I sent a registered letter to the Henry campaign on September 22nd, again requesting debates. As of today, that letter has not been accepted by the Henry campaign."

Krumm said Bailey said Henry is refusing to debate because, after 36 years in office, "I don't think he needs to be introduced to the people."

According to the Krumm campaign, since 1994 - the last time the 21st District's voters were able to see Senator Henry in a general election debate - some 66,128 voters have either newly registered in the 21st district or have been drawn into the district's new boundaries - about 65 percent of the district's currently registered voters. And just since 2002, the last time Sen. Henry was up for re-election, 24,416 voters - nearly a quarter of the 21st district's voters - are brand new to the area.

"Voters in this district have the right to know where each of us stands on important issues," stated Krumm. "Each year since 2002 has brought new concerns. Four years ago no one was talking about governmental ethics, illegal immigration, or gay marriage. Voters deserve to know where their candidates stand on these and other important issues."

Krumm said elections "are about the future," and not just to "reward" an incumbent for their for past performance in office. "Voters have the right to know where the candidates who intend to represent them stand on important issues. I am committed to that future and I'm asking Senator Henry to join me in a discussion of the future, instead of running in the past." Krumm added, "21st District voters deserve candidates who will discuss 21st century issues."

Sen. Henry isn't just ducking a live debate - his campaign website also provides voters with little information about where he stands on crucial issues. Krumm's website offers the public an issues page and downloadable copies of all of the "candidate questionnaires" that Krumm has filled out for every liberal, moderate and conservative special interest group that has sent him one - with Krumm's answers. By contrast , Sen. Henry's campaign website doesn't even have an "issues" page, and doesn't provide copies of his filled-out candidate questionnaires.

Krumm's website also has his complete financial disclosure, and his list of contributors. Sen. Henry's campaign website does not.

Krumm clearly believes in full disclosure, openness, transparency, and a full public airing of issues; Sen. Henry does not.

Krumm says Henry "has ducked answering direct questions about his positions by responding to questionnaires with a form letter stating that it was 'his policy not to answer on how he would vote on legislation until he has at least looked over the bill.'

BillHobbs.com has repeatedly sent inquiries to the Henry campaign and Henry's Senate office on a variety of issues. To date, Henry and his campaign staff have ducked every single inquiry.

Krumm, by contrast, promises not to duck the voters of the 21st District:

Voters in this District have the right to know where each of us stands. Each new year and each legislative session brings about new concerns. Four years ago no one was talking about ethics, illegal immigration, or gay marriage. Today they are hot topics. Voters deserve to know where their candidates stand on these and other important issues.

That's why I have made available on my website copies of all candidate questionnaires. That's why I bike from door to door asking people what issues are important to them. That's why when I speak, I always allow ample time for questions from the audience.

I want to represent you. I want to know you. I want you to know me. I will not duck you.

Sen. Henry is quacking.