Monday, August 18, 2014

SILVER STATE CONFIDENTIAL 08/18/2014

THE BILBRAY FILES: FATAL DEBATE ATTRACTION

It’s one thing to give a novice, first-time candidate the benefit of the doubt when they fumble and bumble their way through a gaffe-filled campaign. 

It’s another thing altogether to excuse such incompetence when perpetrated by someone who is the daughter of a former United States congressman, served as Nevada’s Democrat National Committeewoman and has been a professional campaign trainer for the last ten years.


As such, it’s hard to explain how Democrat congressional candidate Erin Bilbray-Kohn could so badly botch handling the debate issue in her campaign against Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nevada). 

I mean, the way Erin has pursued Heck to get him to debate her has had a sort of “Fatal Attraction” quality to it.  Now, I don’t know if Dr. Heck and his family own a bunny rabbit, but I would strongly advise they keep it under lock and key until after Election Day if they do!

It all started on July 7 when Bilbray-Kohn tweeted, “I look forward to several debates with @JoeHeck.”

Well, yeah, I bet you do.  Challengers always want to debate.  That’s Politics 101.

One week later Heck adviser Ryan Erwin told the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Laura Myers that Heck would, in fact, face off with Bilbray-Kohn.  “Joe has never ducked debates,” Erwin said.

Then on July 17, Bilbray Kohn tweeted: “Asked @RepJoeHeck for 4 debates. He wants one, 7 days after early vote starts. Don't be afraid Joe. Use your words.”

Ah, a schoolyard taunt!  Yes, I’m sure calling your opponent “chicken” and “double-daring” him to “come out, come out, wherever you are” is a brilliant campaign strategery taught in Bilbray-Kohn’s campaign training program and will absolutely, positively work like a charm.

Not.

And for the life of me, I don’t understand what “Use your words” is supposed to mean here.  Then again, there’s a LOT about this campaign I don’t understand.
                                         
On the same day, Bilbray-Kohn also tweeted: “In August @RepJoeHeck is taking a month off from work in Washington - while earning $14,500, let's schedule debates people can attend.”

Starting to sound a little desperate here. 

On July 29, Bilbray-Kohn tweeted, “@RepJoeHeck  I still have not heard back from you regarding debates,” adding in a follow-up tweet, “Neither I or my camp has heard anything from @RepJoeHeck.”

Reminds me of that line in an old Sam Kinison HBO special when he talked about running into a crazed woman who read him the riot act for not calling her after he met her at a party.  “Why didn’t you call me?!  When you say you’re gonna call somebody you should call!”

Psycho.

That same day, shortly after Bilbray-Kohn’s increasingly desperate and pathetic tweets, it was announced that Heck would debate Bilbray-Kohn on October 24th. 

The announcement, however, was not greeted with gratitude and applause by the Bilbray-Kohn folks.  Instead, they took to social media to throw a virtual hissy fit.

“seriously,” tweet-whined @TVMoJo, “just two weeks before Election Day??? Oy.”

“there should be at least 3 debates, at least one with a panel of reporters,” tweet-cackled @LauraKMM. “Otherwise, Rep. Heck is hiding.” 

Added liberal flame-thrower @Buzzlzarownd: “We only get one debate out of @Heck4Nevada?!? Guess he is hiding from his measly record??”

Some people are never satisfied.  And only in Liberalville could the announcement that Dr. Heck had AGREED to debate his opponent on network TV could that be construed as “hiding.”

By the way, Heck never said he would only do this one debate.  He simply agreed to do this one debate.  He never said he wasn’t going to do any other debates.

Meanwhile, not satisfied with taking yes for an answer, Bilbray-Kohn tweeted on July 30: “I actually agreed to 4 debates.  But will consider more.”

Um, not to be a stickler for accuracy here, but you can’t “agree” to four debates if you weren’t offered four debates.  Perhaps you may have PROPOSED four debates, but that’s a different thing altogether.

The next day, July 31, Bilbray-Kohn tweeted: “It has been 22 days since I sent a letter requesting 4 debates with @RepJoeHeck. Still no answer. #stopducking.” 

The following day she tweeted: “23 days since I sent @RepJoeHeck a certified letter asking for 4 debates. No response.  When in Congress I will answer mail #nv03 #dontduck.”

How ridiculous.  To equate legitimate constituent communications to whiny debate demands from a political opponent? 

This also qualifies Bilbray-Kohn for the 2014 Chutzpah Award.  Because as you may recall, Erin announced her candidacy in July of 2013.  She then proceeded to duck all media interview requests for almost THREE MONTHS.  Indeed, on September 23, liberal blogger Jon Ralston published a blog post under the headline: “Bilbray still hiding…”

The Bilbray-Kohn campaign has been both shameless and shameful.  It’s been both insulting and offensive.  It’s been embarrassing as well as a source of perverse comic relief.

Frankly, on one hand I don’t see why Rep. Heck should waste his time elevating Bilbray-Kohn to his level by appearing with her on the same debate stage.  On the other hand, if he does he’ll clean her clock.  Nice woman that she is, Bilbray-Kohn is way out of her depth in this race. 

But you know me; I’m Mr. Helpful.  So let me make the following proposal…

Clearly Mrs. Bilbray-Kohn is not yet ready for prime time.  She needs some practice; maybe some playing time in the minor leagues before heading to “The Show” with a real-life congressman.  So how’s this…

Conservative talk-show host Alan Stock of KDWN 720 AM and I host a monthly happy hour at Stoney’s Rockin’  Country on the first Friday of every month. Erin, how about you and I debate issues for an hour at the next such event scheduled for September 5, 2014 with Mr. Stock serving as moderator?

Now come on, Erin.  #dontduck!

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