The West Virginia Broadcasters Association extended an invitation to both candidates to appear in a debate that would be broadcast on many West Virginia commercial radio and television stations in mid October. Raese’s campaign agreed but the Governor said no and cited a scheduling conflict. When additional dates were offered the truth came out from Manchin’s campaign – there would be no debate.
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/squawkbox/2010/10/03/did-manchin-refuse-to-debate-raese-one-on-one/
What you don’t know, Joe has been in the “the seat is mine” routine since his announcement for the position. His poll numbers has edged down every week for the last four weeks. Joe can’t get his numbers to move. Ras announced a 7 point lead for Raese last week. So Joe becomes desperate, and calls Fox and lays out a challenge for John. Now John has the momentum and the lead why go on TV to help Fox’s ratings. Most conservatives that I know don’t watch TV or very little. I get my information gleaned off the Internet. I have already voted for John and many Tea Partiers have too. What could John say or Joe for that matter that would change a person’s vote? No conservative nor independent would give another Democrat vote to Obama and his agenda. That is what this election cycle is all about. John Raese is a very good, successful, business man and very conservative. Manchin is taking it on the chin, has has back tracked on Cap and Trade and Obamacare in the last two weeks. Manchin ads don’t even say Democrat on them, I’m told. John had nothing to win or prove to show up at the last minute besides a possible ambush? John will win even with the Fairmont Mafia Joe is tied in with.
http://www.wvared.com/?tag=larry-puccio
This guy is under federal investigation. He is Joe Manchino’s right hand man and Democrat Party leader. He has gone underground till after the election. Most WV’ians know why. Manchino is in trouble. So his last minute debate on Fox is a drowning man grabbing at water.
Maybe most conservatives you know don’t watch TV, but most conservatives I know only watch Fox News. That is one venue you don’t “blow off” since it has more viewers than all the other cable news channels combined, and more than some of the “mainstream” networks. It was an opportunity lost. If he wins, fine. But if he loses, he might look back and regret not at least making a show for the conservatives who watch Fox News.