Press Release - McNerney to Pombo: Time to Face the Music

Press Release - McNerney to Pombo: Time to Face the Music

DUBLIN, CA—Congressional candidate Jerry McNerney today challenged his opponent Richard Pombo to " face the music and the voters." McNerney and Pombo have been invited to debates hosted by the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired People, and several other community groups such as the Commonwealth Club. But Pombo has so far refused to participate in any true debate, opting instead for only one appearance with a dual-speech format.

"I think voters want to have more than endless attack ads and blizzards of negative mailings," said McNerney. While McNerney spent the weekend actually talking to voters at community picnics, bike rides, festivals, and other public events—Pombo tends to appear in front of hand-picked donors at big-ticket events—such as an earlier fundraiser with Dick Cheney and one next month with George W. Bush.

"I think voters would appreciate the opportunity to hear why Richard Pombo has been a rubber stamp for the worst excesses of the Bush administration for the
last six years," said McNerney. "From the war in Iraq to the privatization of Social Security and cuts to essential services like education and veterans' benefits, Richard Pombo has supported them all. Voters deserve to hear why Pombo is in lockstep with Bush on almost every issue."
The League of Women Voters has offered to sponsor one debate, the Tracy Press will sponsor a "forum"—which is not a debate — and McNerney wants to add on
two others in different areas of the large and diverse 11th district.

McNerney laid down the challenge, saying, "I am proud to cooperate with the League of Women Voters, AARP, and the Commonwealth Club and hope Richard Pombo will agree to appear in these and other public events with me so voters can better understand the differences between us and the important issues
that are at stake."

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/press_story.asp?id=22