Posted on 10/22/2004 8:10:49 AM PDT by agenda_express
Candidate's Stage Fright Ends Debate
Parra: 'I Just Can't Do This'
October 22, 2004
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A northeastern Indiana congressional candidate said she abruptly ended a debate because she got stage fright.
Democrat Maria Parra walked off a television stage Thursday, ending what would have been her only debate with incumbent Republican Mark Souder in the 3rd District congressional race.
"I'm not used to being in front of the camera. ... I couldn't get my words out. I was just overwhelmed," she said after the aborted debate, which was being filmed at WPTA and would have been aired this weekend. The matchup has not been rescheduled and is not likely to be, The Journal Gazette reported Friday.
Parra said she "absolutely" thought backing out of the debate would hurt her politically, but hoped people would understand.
(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...
This is good news as to their further demise.
Her parents (FIDEL and Maria Luisa) moved here (from Mexico?) in 40's.
From her webpage: "I lived in the East for a number of years and worked for IBM, DuPont, and CS First Boston. I also lived and worked for one year in Mexico City for CVC Telemercado Alameda. I returned to Fort Wayne and worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and am currently working as an insurance agent. Click here for a detailed work experience resume. (pdf resume)
You are kidding, right?....lol
Oh good grief. If this woman can't stand the scrutiny in her own state, how the heck is she gonna manage her nerves when she's shown on C-SPAN (for starters)? Ye gods.
i voted for the debate, before i voted against it
I agree with you. I wouldn't vote for this woman but I think it is wrong to mock her. Hey, she tried putting herself out there to run for congress - good for her. Watching these canidates in debates, I'm a little amazed because I'd never be able to do it.
Any word on how Souder responded? Was he classy and patient, or smirky?
Too bad she ran away. Sounds like she could've used some helpful tips from sKerry on how to debate. He would've told her to just stand there and say absolutely anything! The truth is optional. Promise the little people the sun, the moon, and the stars. And later, when you can't produce a d*mn thing - just say it was Bush's fault.
That Parra sounds about as strong as Nicole Parra here in CA..................
No word on Souder's response. Trust me, if he would have laughed, it would be all over the papers.
No, I think we ought to be nicer than this. Maybe just because I had a stupendous double latte made right at home with my new super auto coffee machine that grinds the beans, frothes the milk and I used Brazilian coffee that costs a mint. It has me in a nice mood.
Politics is about communication and persuasion. Or it should be... several Dims pop to mind that are better suited for a job in the Janitorial Arts...
well, they do other things. She could take bribes, cater to special interests, go windsurfing, sell her vote. There are many thing she could do.
Souder's response is shown on the video link. Very gracious, as you might expect from a Republican.
Sounds like she's not only phobic, but completely unprepared for prime time.
He's not the type of man to laugh or say something disparaging. I felt sort of sorry for her after the first time she walked out, then she started in on what "an embarrassment" Mark Sounder has been then she walked out again and my sympathy evaporated.
Priceless!
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