FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 July 2010
patrick@jeffbarnettforcongress.com
Barnett Campaign Will Hold Ten Town Hall Meetings
McLean, VA -- Jeff Barnett, Democratic Nominee for Congress in Virginia’s 10th District, announced that he will hold ten town hall meetings across the District.
“Frank Wolf has agreed to one debate and one forum, but that’s not nearly enough. That’s why I’m putting together ten town hall meetings. 10th District residents deserve the opportunity to question their candidates on the issues they are most concerned about and to hear opposing views” said Jeff Barnett. “It’s disappointing that Frank Wolf is ducking the tough issues by refusing to debate me in more than one place, but these town hall meetings will allow voters to hear from at least one of their candidates directly,” Barnett continued. “I look forward to an open exchange of ideas about our future.”
The schedule for the town hall meetings is as follows:
Chantilly: Monday, August 9 from 7:00-8:30PM at Chantilly Regional Library
McLean: Wednesday, August 11 from 7:00-8:30 at McLean Community Center
Great Falls: Tuesday, August 17 from 7:00-8:30 at Great Falls Library
Manassas Park: Monday, August 23 from 7:00-8:30 at the Manassas Park Community Center
Ashburn: Tuesday, August 24 from 7:00-8:30 at Ashburn Library
Leesburg: Wednesday, August 25 from 7:00-8:30 at Thomas Balch Library
Front Royal: Thursday, August 26 from 6:00-7:30 at Samuels Library
Winchester: Monday, August 30 from 7:00-8:30 at the Public Safety Building on Coverstone Drive
Warrenton: Wednesday, September 1 from 7:00-8:30 at the Warrenton-Fauquier Visitors Center
Herndon: Thursday, September 2 from 7:00-8:30 at the Herndon Fortnightly Library
“There is a stark contrast between the two candidates in this race,” said Marc Abanto, Jeff Barnett’s Campaign Manager. “Unlike his opponent, Jeff Barnett embraces the challenge of debating policy proposals. He is more than willing to talk to voters across the political spectrum. These town hall meetings will demonstrate Jeff’s command of the issues and prove the strength of Jeff’s approach to addressing the problems of the 10th District and of our nation.”
I wouldn't say Frank Wolf is
I wouldn't say Frank Wolf is afraid to debate the issues. He holds several town hall meetings every year, even when it is not an election year and anyone is free to ask him anything.
I applaud your holding 10 town hall meetings and your challenge to have Frank attend them also, but I think 10 such meetings in a two week period before labor day is a bit much a sitting Congressman to attend.
I don't know anyone in the district who hasn't met Frank at least 5 times. Anyone who hasn't talked with him face to face just isn't trying.
5 Times?
I have made several calls and sent a couple of email to Congressman Wolf's office expressing an interest in participating in "Town Calls" to no avail. I also made a point of suggesting that the Congressman hold Town Hall Meetings instead to similar effect. Rather than characterizing his motives, I would simply say that our representative is not fully engaging his constituency, a community which has undergone dramatic demographic, economic and political change since his first election. Jefery Barnett's challenge to the incumbent is to see if he is willing to engage in perhaps the first real debate he has had in years. Congressman Wolf owes it to his constituency to meet him halfway.
Wolf's Town Hall Meetings
The last "town hall meeting" that Frank Wolf invited me, as a constituent to, was actually a conference call! Sorry, that is NOT a town hall meeting by any stretch of the imagination. I want to see, and meet, my representative, in person. That is part of "representative" government, after all, isn't it? I want to know how "just vote no" demonstrates courage, dedication, and responsiveness to the needs of his constituents.
Where was Frank Wolf on January 26?
Frank Wolf said that he would meet with a group organized by the MoveOn Org to discuss the upcoming health insurance legislation on January 26th at 5pm. A group of about 20 of us went there to meet with him. Instead of meeting with us, he ducked out the back door.
Jeff's challenge was for
Jeff's challenge was for Frank Wolf to join us in a series of debates across the district. We put together the town hall meetings after Frank Wolf refused to debate more than once.
Frank Wolf does, indeed hold town hall meetings, for which he is to be commended, but holding a town hall meeting is different from participating in a rigorous debate with opposing candidates. Debates are an important part of any election because they give voters a fuller comparison than tv commercials or campaign mailers allow. Jeff thinks voters deserve the chance to make that comparison.
As the Congressman for a district as large and diverse as the 10th, Frank Wolf owes his constituents more than one debate. This issues at stake in this election are too important to be squeezed into one hour.
Looking forward to the town hall meetings
I'm glad you're doing so many town hall meetings. I'm looking forward to attending at least one and meeting you.