Letters to the Editor - Debates

Kirk ducking debates

Gurnee Review
August 24, 2006

Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Tenth District, has suggested that he and Congressman Mark Kirk debate six times prior to the Nov. 7 election. According to the Pioneer Press, a spokesman for Kirk was quoted as saying, "Given the Congressional calendar, the congressman has already agreed to discuss the issues on Oct. 26 and Oct. 31." These dates happen to fall on a Thursday and a Tuesday: working days for most people.

Excluding the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah, there are 10 Saturdays and 10 Sundays before Election Day. I would think that Congressman Kirk would want to address the largest number of constituents and weekends rather than weekdays would best allow him to do so. I'm certain that the Congressman's Congressional calendar can accommodate at least six debates combining weekends and weekdays since the House is scheduled to adjourn on Oct. 6 in order to allow its members to campaign. Why is Kirk offering only two debates less than two weeks prior to the election? A limited number of debates could not cover all of the important domestic, international and local issues facing our community and the nation. Seals is correct in suggesting at least six.

Stuart Kronish
Highland Park

Citizens deserve a debate

Winnetka Talk
August 17, 2006

Rep. Mark Kirk's "Suburban Agenda" is designed to "meet the needs of suburban families from Seattle to Atlanta." It is nonsense to believe that the purported "suburban problems" are the same across the country.

One initiative of The Suburban Agenda is a program to screen school applicants for criminal records. This practice is already in place in our local schools. Another initiative denies privacy rights to school lockers. Local high schools already reserve the right to search lockers as they are considered school property. In District 214, Dandy the drug dog routinely sniffs school lockers for illegal drugs.

An additional provision in the agenda is the Online Predators Act requiring schools and libraries to block online social networks such as MySpace. Most local schools already have rules in place against the use of these sites. Perhaps Mark Kirk should spend his time servicing the citizens of his district.

After the passage of Mediare Part D, Kirk did not hold a single forum to explain the legislation in spite of its complexity. The citizens of the 10th deserve thoughtful, reasoned representation, not a cookie cutter approach to solving suburban problems. I'd like to hear Rep. Kirk and his November opponent, Dan Seals, publicly present their positions to the citizens of the 10th Congressional District. How about a debate?

Carol Blustein
Northbrook

Kirk should agree to debates with Seals

Daily Herald
August 8, 2006

Congressman Mark Kirk has to date refused to set up a schedule of debates with challenger Dan Seals.

As a voter in the 10th District, I would like to hear where both candidates stand on issues. I would like to see them discuss and defend their positions.

I believe they should do this in an open forum in front of people who must make a decision on who will represent their values and beliefs in Congress.

I realize incumbents don't like to debate because they give exposure to the rival and they may have to defend positions they have taken that are not popular in front of the media and general population.

But an informed electorate is the basis of a strong democracy so said Tom Jefferson.

So, Mr. Kirk, if you are not afraid of your record or your platform why are you refusing to debate Dan Seals?

Robert Boros
Mount Prospect

Paid for by Dan Seals for Congress

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