TV Shy?
The Rod Smith campaign issued a letter Tuesday challenging Jim Davis to appear on television beside Rod Smith, while accusing Davis of backing out of three televised forums.
"This makes three opportunities for a televised forum that you have not accepted, and I believe that this does a disservice to the Democratic Party as well as the voters of Florida," Smith wrote in a letter to Davis.
The Jim Davis campaign responded that Davis has appeared with Smith in some 70 forums so far. And they say Davis has committed to appearing on three televised debates in late July and August, according to an email from Davis spokesman Josh Earnest.
"This makes three opportunities for a televised forum that you have not accepted, and I believe that this does a disservice to the Democratic Party as well as the voters of Florida," Smith wrote in a letter to Davis.
The Jim Davis campaign responded that Davis has appeared with Smith in some 70 forums so far. And they say Davis has committed to appearing on three televised debates in late July and August, according to an email from Davis spokesman Josh Earnest.
13 Comments:
At 4:56 PM, June 20, 2006, jpublic said…
Hmmm… interesting dichotomy. I don’t know who to believe. I know one thing though. If Rod is right, then this statement is Dead-nuts-on… and it will resonate.
“…this does a disservice to the Democratic Party as well as the voters of Florida,"
At 5:40 PM, June 20, 2006, 1sourcem said…
Rod Smith is an excellent public speaker. He was terrific in leading the Senate debate against vouchers and class size repeal. Jim Davis makes Al Gore look animated. No wonder he is ducking. Rod needs to press on this issue -- he has all the momentum to catch Davis in the polls. Even one televised debate will put Smith ahead of Davis for good.
At 6:15 PM, June 20, 2006, Campaign Manager said…
This is just your standard back and forth. Davis has appeared at events with Smith many times. Not to say that Davis has not declined several events, but we do not know why - Davis could be "ducking," the events could have been designed by Smith to be packed with his supporters, or Davis could have had a prior event scheduled.
I won't be taking this seriously (or any similar accusations) for another month or so.
At 7:27 PM, June 20, 2006, 419 said…
campaign manager -- Davis has appeared at events, but can never seem to show up when it might be televised.
If he can't handle the lights in a primary, imagine what he'll do in a general election -- or as governor of the 4th largest state in America.
At 7:47 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
come on now.
we all know the plan.
try to squeek out a primary win with a little bit of name recognition in a large media market, without being exposed to a televised audience for just being mediocre.
then hope that the general dissatisfaction with the republicans can carry you into the mansion.
duck...duck...duck...duck...goose!!
tag Jim...you're it
At 7:49 PM, June 20, 2006, Paul D. Harvill said…
419:
"Davis has appeared at events, but can never seem to show up when it might be televised.
"If he can't handle the lights in a primary, imagine what he'll do in a general election -- or as governor of the 4th largest state in America."
.......
If Davis is camera shy with Smith around, that is a mighty powerful reason to not support Davis.
At 7:54 PM, June 20, 2006, politicofsu said…
moderate youre a total moron
At 8:24 PM, June 20, 2006, adam's professor said…
campaign manager -
"Davis has appeared at events with Smith many times."
And I am quite certain that the whispers that abound following such events do not go unnoticed by Davis' staff. I have no doubt that if it were possible they would forgo televised debates all together.
Regardless, as this race tightens, the Davis campaign can no longer rationalize to themselves that they are just protecting their lead. They must face the cold hard truth that they appear to be camouflaging a weakness.
This is 2006, not 1858 where Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas can do nine debates in front of a fraction of the electorate and the rest of the voters have to wait for second and third hand accounts. People want to make up their own minds; they'll wait.
The high number of undecideds, coupled with the short time left in the campaign, precludes either candidate from solidifying all but their base support. If the Davis campaign were smart, they would call for a host of televised debates in order to train their candidate up and saturate the market so the few debates that they are looking to do aren't considered "must watch" by the likely voters and, thus, lessen their impact.
At 8:31 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
thank you politicofsu
but I'd say I hit the nail right on the head with that one
I guess I won't be running in to you at the next MENSA meeting will I?
now get back to work for Rep. Ambien and think up a couple of more excuses for not showing up for televised debates.
you know none of us bought that: "i had to be in Washington to vote" excuse.
why would he start showing up now?
At 9:24 PM, June 20, 2006, Dixiecrat said…
Maybe Davis' media team is trying to teach him how to not look like he's having a facial seizure when he speaks.
I have to say I'm not terribly impressed that he has confirmed for three televised debates later on -- he confirmed for the last three, too.
Hey maybe Bob Graham can debate for him ...
At 10:03 PM, June 20, 2006, bobnbob said…
dixiecrat ... OMG you hit the nail on the head darlin' .... first Jim had no expression and now, well, its referred in several counties as the "fish face" when he pinches everything at the wrong time... ya just want his staffers to start rolling up the program and swatting his nose and say "NO" ... it works so well when training dogs :)
I'll say it again dears ... ROD SMITH is the candidate that all other candidates fear most ... he has more mojo, charisma, and straight-forward, straight answers and that "fire in the pit of his belly" without breaking a sweat than anyone else running!
Imma thinking maybe Jeb urged Jim not to do TV ....
At 10:11 PM, June 20, 2006, thefos said…
I have had the opportunity to hear both Democratic candidates speak at least 4 times each. Sometimes together, sometimes not.
Rod Smith wows the audience every single time. Jim Davis, not so much.
I have seen Rod Smith answer questions about any issue. Jim Davis, not so much.
Although I will support whoever wins the primary, I believe that Rod Smith is the right candidate at the right time.
We need a leader like Rod Smith who can unite Floridians to move Florida forward to success.
At 2:46 PM, June 21, 2006, Florida mom said…
dixiecrat,
you mean Bob Graham endorsed Jim Davis?? Wow! Hadn't heard that. (LMAO) And, I was beginning to think Davis had NO endorsements. Silly me!
Go Rod Go!
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