Well well well. NOW Steve King wants to debate his challanger.

[progressoid]

I think somebody is feeling a little worried about re-election.

Rep. King challenges Christie Vilsack to debates

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -

Iowa Congressman Steve King is breaking away from his tradition of not debating his opponents before the election. After years of refusing to debate his opponents, the Republican has issued a challenge to debate Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack in a series of matches across Iowa's new 4th congressional district.

King told KTIV that he's willing to debate Vilsack because she is a viable candidate and has raised the money that makes debating worthwhile.

...

King says the public has also been clamoring for these debates for a while and he says it'll be a great opportunity for them to learn where both candidates stand on the issues.

In response to Congressman King's debate challenge tonight, Christie Vilsack's campaign manager released a statement, calling King's debate offer refreshing.

http://www.ktiv.com/story/17180100/iowa-congressman-ready-for-debate-series

And now "King wants debate format settled by week's end"

... King, who represents the current 5th District, has declined to debate his Democratic opponents in seeking re-election from 2004 through 2010, and Iowa State University Political Science Professor Steffen Schmidt said the turnabout is hard to grasp.

"I don't know what got into him. He's won every race after not debating. I think it's a bad idea," Schmidt said.

...

"I ask for a formal response by March 23, 2012, to ensure time to reserve facilities and finalize details," the letter says, noting that "because of upcoming votes in Congress, my schedule is limited."

Schmidt said the Vilsack team will no doubt want to have a say in the details.

"It is an odd way of doing this because it's almost like, take it or leave it," Schmidt said.

Last week, the Vilsack campaign team initially expressed pleasure at the opportunity to debate King. On Monday, in response to debate planning particulars, Vilsack campaign manager Jessica VandenBerg said the time frame to respond will be addressed in "a timely manner."

Read more: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/king-wants-debate-format-settled-by-week-s-end/article_cf23563d-b4ea-58dd-a9f0-a0f9511b6ba2.html#ixzz1pccTO8zL

[Lil Missy]

1. This should be interesting ......

There must be some perceived advantage to it for King or he wouldn't ask.

[progressoid]

2. With King, I expect something underhanded.

Just found his letter to Christie:

March 16, 2012

Christie Vilsack

c/o Christie Vilsack for Iowa, Inc.

P.O. Box 641

Ames, Iowa 51010

Dear Mrs. Vilsack:

In an effort to conduct an open and honest discussion throughout the campaign, I propose a series of six debates (minimum of 60 minutes each).

Because of upcoming votes in Congress, my schedule is limited but I hope six debates will be adequate to inform the voting public. The locations proposed are designed to spread the debates across the district equitably.

1) Story County Fair, Nevada (12:00 pm on July 21, 2012)

2) Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge (7:00 pm on August 22, 2012)

3) Clay County Fair, Spencer (2:00 pm on September 8, 2012)

4) Morningside College, Sioux City (Lincoln-Douglas Style) (7:00 pm on September 29, 2012)

5) Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery, Carroll (6:30 pm on October 25, 2012)

6) Music Man Square, Mason City (Lincoln-Douglas Style) (6:00 pm on November 1, 2012)

I ask for a formal response by March 23, 2012, to ensure time to reserve facilities and finalize details. Let’s give Iowans a great series of debates focused on issues important to them.

Sincerely,

Steve King

Member of Congress

[seeviewonder]

3. I met Christie about a month ago.

She will certainly be getting my vote this year!

[4dsc]

4. Steve King is a coward

and it would appear he's in trouble so he's going to try and outmaneuver Christie.

Lets hope it doesn't work.