Perry Accepts Invitation to Debate Primary Rival Hutchison in Collin County
By CHRISTY HOPPE, The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry jumped early and accepted two debates for the Republican primary, indicating Tuesday that he is eager to test Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on state issues and paint her as a Washington insider.
The acceptance came even before sponsors of the debates had met with the campaign, established dates or considered venues – and for an election seven months away.
“The people of Texas deserve to have the issues discussed in an open forum,” said Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “We are hopeful that Senator Hutchison will leap at the opportunity to dispel concerns that her 16 years in Washington have left her out of touch with the issues facing everyday Texans.”
Hutchison’s campaign also said she is ready to take on Perry and his nine-year tenure as governor, but declined so far to formally accept any particular debate invitations.
“Senator Hutchison looks forward to debating the issues with Rick Perry and plans to do so repeatedly over the next seven months,” said spokesman Jeff Sadosky.
“Of course the more interesting debate could be between Rick Perry’s rhetoric and Rick Perry’s record. Having said one thing and done another on land grabs, border security, stimulus funds and taxes, it’s a crowded stage,” Sadosky said.
The Perry camp agreed to debates that would be sponsored by the Collin County Republican Party and a broadcast event sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and Belo Corp., the parent company of four stations in Texas – WFAA-TV in Dallas, KHOU-TV in Houston, KENS-TV in San Antonio and KVUE-TV in Austin.
The current Belo invitation would provide free broadcast rights to all radio stations and at least one station outside the four owned by the company.
source: www.dallasnews.com