Posted on 11/01/2011 1:46:38 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
There is a movement among some prominent Iowa Republicans to undermine a scheduled GOP presidential debate sponsored by the Des Moines Register and aired by Iowa Public Television. The debate, scheduled for December 19, would be the third candidate forum in Iowa over a span of nine days. Some county GOP leaders believe that is too many.
ABC and Fox News have presidential debates scheduled for December 10 and December 15, respectively. Both are sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa. State central committee member and Carroll County GOP chair Craig Williams fears the candidates will not want to participate in all three, so he is encouraging them to skip the third one.
Part of Williams’ concerns stem from a perceived liberal bias from the Des Moines Register, as well as the fact that IPTV is taxpayer funded. Williams, along with Clay County GOP chair Kris Thiessen and Hardin County GOP co-chair Andy Cable, sent a letter to GOP county leaders across the state, urging them to join the movement. It reads, in part:
“As Republicans who believe in smaller government, is it wise to attend a debate shown on tax payer funded television and taped in a tax payer funded studio with questions asked by taxpayer funded “journalists”? Should Iowans last look at the Republican candidates be through the eyes of the Des Moines Register, who thought it would be funny to show a picture of someone wearing a tin foil hat and pass him off to be a typical Republican caucus attendee? Or through the eyes of a newspaper which has called Congressman Steve King, an “embarrassment” for standing up for Republican principles? We think not.”
The letter to county leaders also states that they “do not wish to cut the Des Moines Register or PBS completely out of the debate picture. They are certainly welcome to purchase a ticket from the Republican Party of Iowa for the December 10th and/or December 15th debates.”
Williams hopes to collect more signatures from GOP central committees over the next few days. Then, he will send a letter to each GOP presidential campaign later this week, detailing the objections to the DM Register/IPTV debate. Williams tells TheIowaRepublican that more than 1/3 of the county central committees have signed the letter. “We’re corner to corner at this point. At least one person from each county party has sent back a note saying they’re on board with it.”
If any other county central committee members would like to attach their name to the letter, send an email to craigwilliams@mmctsu.com.
Below is a copy of the letter that will be sent to the GOP presidential campaigns later this week.
Dear Republican Presidential Candidate:.....
fyi
Excellent.
Who gave the Libs at the Register and Iowa Public TV the ultimate call ?
Hint, Mitt Romney might find himself having to talk extra loud!
IF you'd rather NOT be pinged FReepmail me.
IF you'd like to be added FReepmail me. Thanks.
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Hell, yes. Leave these worthless liberals high and dry.
Looking at the Politico hit job on Cain, remember they debate sponsored by Politico and MSNBC..that was a farce..
This was the debate, during the last election, where the school-marmish newpaper woman infuriated everyone with her liberal-oriented questions. Sounds like a good idea to diss it.
Is that the one from 4 years ago that the moderator wanted a “show of hands” rather than discussion?
I think she’s still there...
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