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Goddard challenges Brewer to six debates, she's OK with one

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 13:35

By Mary K. Reinhart The Arizona Guardian

Democratic candidate Terry Goddard on Tuesday challenged Gov. Jan Brewer to a series of six debates statewide, saying anything less “would be a disservice to voters at this crucial time in Arizona’s history.”

Through a spokesman, Brewer told Goddard to pound sand.

Brewer, all but unchallenged in the Aug. 24 Republican primary, will debate Goddard in a Sept. 1 televised contest that’s required due to their decision to run as publicly financed candidates. Beyond that it’s unclear, said campaign spokesman Doug Cole.

“In the meantime, we anticipate that Mr. Goddard will use his campaign funds to try to redefine (a) 30-year record of failure," Cole said in a statement.

In a letter sent to Brewer on Tuesday, Goddard detailed a litany of problems in the state, from foreclosures and job losses to the closure of state parks. He said Arizonans deserve more than the “bare minimum” of one debate required under the Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission rules.

“Arizonans deserve much more than a few media sound bites and quick interviews,” Goddard wrote.

He proposed six issue-oriented debates, with topics including jobs, immigration, education and the budget, to be held in different locations around the state, from Yuma to Sierra Vista.

But Cole said voters already know who Brewer is and don’t necessarily need a series of debates. He took the opportunity to blast Goddard for “his 30-year record of failures” and labeled him an “Obama apostle.”