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Holden opts out of a primary debate
Democrat Sheila Dow Ford was set to show up at Wednesday night’s planned debate between her and Congressman Tim Holden (D-17)—but she was also set to debate an empty chair.
Holden’s campaign manager, Eric Nagy, said the incumbent would not be at the evening debate because of scheduled votes in Congress.
“As a constituent, I would certainly feel better knowing the congressman is in D.C.,” Nagy told pa2010.com.
The Kutztown Area Democratic Club and the Kutztown University College Democrats had planned a 7 p.m. debate between the two primary opponents. Karen Feridun, president of the Democratic Club, said Holden had never confirmed he would be there.
“Sometimes you just have to organize something and if they plan to show up, they show up,” Feridun said. “There’s still going to be a chair on the stage with his name in front of it, and he can be in it or not.”
Feridun said she started reaching out to Holden’s campaign in February to organize a debate, but had trouble reaching Holden aides. Nagy also cited communications problems, but said the campaign was not scheduling any debates while it was in the midst of what proved to be an unsuccessful challenge to Dow-Ford’s nominating petitions.
Dow-Ford spokesman Josh Mindlin sounded resigned to the fact that Holden wouldn’t show up.
“Well, then, we’ll have a town hall or we’ll have a very one-sided debate,” Mindlin said.
The two are apparently scheduled to share a stage in debate May 3 for an event sponsored by the Pottsville Republican Herald. Dow-Ford has been intensely critical of Holden’s vote against the newly-enacted health care law.
Nagy, who came on as Holden’s campaign manager last month, didn’t know what specifically Holden was in Washington to vote on Wednesday. The legislative calendar included a bill concerning health care for veterans, a bill promoting physical education in schools and several honorary resolutions.
April 21, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Tags: PA-17, Sheila Dow-Ford, Tim Holden
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Where are you?
Apr 21st, 2010
While I’m pumped for Sheila, I haven’t heard good things a out the head of the Kutztown Dems.
David Diano
Apr 21st, 2010
Holden is going to have to defend his vote sometime.
Lee Levan
Apr 21st, 2010
“Nagy, who came on as Holden’s campaign manager last month, didn’t know what specifically Holden was in Washington to vote on Wednesday.”
I guess that tells you how important it is for Holden to be in D.C.
At least Arlen Specter was honest enough to admit this evening that the reason he isn’t appearing with Joe Sestak is that Specter doesn’t want to give Sestak an unnecessary forum. Eveyone knows that the real reason Holden is not showing up in Kutztown tonight is the same reason as Specter gave. It’s a standard campaign technique.
Mr. Wiggles
Apr 21st, 2010
What a wimp
David Diano
Apr 21st, 2010
Lee-
The hypocritical thing about Sestak is that he refused to give his General Election opponent more than one debate in 2008.
Holden is afraid to face Sheila and defend his Health care vote in a Dem primary.
Anonymous
Apr 21st, 2010
Intelligencer is trying to have a GOP debate in PA’s 8th Congressional District. Take a wild guess as to who does not want to attend. It is a former one-term GOP Congressman immediately before Patrick Murphy who supported such liberal issues as Card Check and Cap and Trade during his term. The husband of the Vice-Chair for the Bucks County GOP is his treasurer and he started being a politician in 1990 … but he claims not to be a GOP insider nor a career politician.
TB
Apr 22nd, 2010
The perks of incumbency seem infinite.
Judy C.
Apr 22nd, 2010
Holden is a chicken shit. He doesn’t want to have to defend his health care vote. Lee’s right on target with his comment.
Isaac L
Apr 22nd, 2010
He’s in DC doing his job. If he came to the debate, you’d criticize him for missing votes.
Jim
Apr 22nd, 2010
That picture of Holden is pretty much the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. Does he normally have that dumb grin on his face?
Sad
Apr 22nd, 2010
I wish dems. would mount charge in PA-17 and get Shelia elected. Holden is total crap. It’s a real shame he won’t come to the debate. Can anyone report on what exactly was so important in DC last night? Some suspension votes? what an asshole.
BerksWoman
Apr 22nd, 2010
Here is a list of legislative action yesterday:
http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html
As a consituent in the 17th, I would have gladly given permission to my congressman to leave early in order to be in Kutztown by 7:00 pm, so that I could hear the two candidates I am choosing from in the Democratic primary.
The president of KADC has been trying for a long time to schedule this debate. She told Holden’s campaign that she needed to get the venue and the moderator. Gave them the date she was trying for and asked them to let her know if that one was impossible, so that she could pick another. They never bothered to let her know.
The event was still very educational. Sheila Dow Ford is a terrific candidate. Good on the issues, poised, personable. She will make a great representative in Congress.
true believer
Apr 22nd, 2010
somehow this is a normal routine for the congressman
true believer
Apr 22nd, 2010
why was he at the Girardville parade before the healthcare vote? because he wouldn’t have to talk and a photo opt.
BerksWoman
Apr 22nd, 2010
Because Girardville is “friendly turf” for Tim. Not so much Kutztown. Which means if you live anywhere in the 17th other than Schuylkill County, your congressman really doesn’t care what you have to say or what you think.
BB
Apr 24th, 2010
Tim Holden is a disgrace to the term “politician.” Enough already, get rid of this type who ONLY thinks of himself, NOT his constituents. Pa. residents deserve better.