Monday, March 12, 2007

* Gordon Challenges Moore To Debate The Issues

Dear Alderman Moore:

I have made a commitment to the voters of Chicago’s 49th Ward that I will openly share with them my viewpoints on the critical issues that will shape the long-term growth and prosperity of our community, as well as my strategies for addressing those issues in a positive manner.

As the election for alderman of the 49th Ward draws near, I remain steadfast in this commitment and challenge you to do the same.

Alderman Moore, I invite you to join me in a final series of public debates on what I believe you will agree are the subjects of greatest concern to our community:

1. Housing and Development
2. Economic Development
3. Crime and Public Safety
4. Education


I ask that you join me for four evenings during the week beginning March 25 in a neutral location (possibly an auditorium with parking such as at Loyola University) and under the guidance of an impartial moderator, possibly Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ, which has convened similar aldermanic forums.

I’m confident that representatives from our election campaigns can come to rapid agreement on the guidelines for these debates. I look forward to us sharing our thoughts in a way that helps the voters of our ward make educated decisions on April 17, Aldermanic Runoff Election Day.

Alderman Moore, will you accept my invitation?

Sincerely,
Don Gordon
Candidate for Alderman of the 49th Ward

Blognotes #1: I sent this to the two candidates a week ago.

If you are all in agreement, I will host a 'bloggers debate' with questions from my readers. Let a moderator decide which six to eight questions to ask.

Questions will be read by a independent moderator of both candidates choosing. As debates go, each candidate can challenge the others claim with rebuttal. Let's take the gloves off. None of this same ole, same ole. Let's get serious with community issues, community questions. Not those set-up questions DevCorp North would ask.

Thanks in advance,

Craig Gernhardt

Blognotes #2: Here were the responses:

Independent Democrat Don Gordon has accepted my request without blinking an eye.

Here is the lame 49th ward machine democratic response.

Craig,

My initial reaction is that while you may have a candidate you support, you have not been actively out campaigning for them.

I also doubt that Joe would consider you impartial. A broader panel might work, but bloggers in 49 and the News Star reporter tend to disproportionally range from anti-Joe to very anti-Joe. Some of them may dispute this, but it would be hard to tell. Who could be added to make it more balanced? I am also speaking for myself here, not Joe. He probably hasn't even seen what I wrote today.

David Fagus

Blognotes #3: Well Alderman Moore, what are you afraid of? Let's get it on. I'm still waiting for your RSVP.

7 comments:

Toni said...

Oh, sponsoring a debate would not mean bloggers would be moderating it. Get Attorney Bush from Evanston back for a real debate. He was the ONLY GOOD moderator in all those events. The bloggers would need to advertise and provide the place to sit and listen right?

Would a group of block clubs please Mr. Fagus better? We had a series of feel good 'forums' talking about the usual issues with 1-3 minutes to respond. What would appease Fagus, PETA and Unions sponsoring it?

Anonymous said...

"Lets get it on"?
That is so unprofessional and inappropriate.

Do you honestly think anyone would step up for this debate with the cards stacked so high against him?

You are delusional, seriously.

The North Coast said...

I don't see why a debate would be "stacked" against Alderman Moore, if it is moderated by an impartial moderator.

The only reason Moore wouldn't want to participate is because he perhaps feel that the truth is "stacked" against him.

Hugh said...

> I also doubt that Joe would consider you impartial.

Oh, now we have to find IMPARTIAL hosts before we can consider a debate? in Rogers Park? After 6 months of campaigning?

Craig's impartiality is just the latests excuse.

A sign in Craig's window is just the latest excuse.

Fagus has been charged by Moore with the task of trotting out a series of excuses between now and April 17.

According to Fagus, the considerations involved in holding a debate are very intricate and complex.

Fagus is softening up the ground for NO DEBATES.

Hugh said...

Fagus Slams News-Star

Isn't the Truth Important In Presenting Your Arguement (sic)?


" .... the News Star reporter tend[s] to disproportionally (sic) range from anti-Joe to very anti-Joe."

What are you taking about, David?

The News-Star is printing FACTS. The FACTS tend toward "very anti-Joe."

The News-Star ENDORSED Moore you moron. What's more pro-Joe than that? What do you want? Joe should get to edit the copy of articles like Jack Bess used to let him do?

Pamela said...

JoMo and Fagus apparently got the DNC memo where access to non-approved, non-ideologically compatible media outlets are to be shut down a la Fox News hosting Dem presidential candidate debates. I don't care what your party is or who the media outlet is, when politicos start shutting out media, my radar starts beeping wildly and all I can think of is totalitarianism and fascism. Moveon.org and DailyKos ought to be ashamed. At least they are now officially outed as the creepy fascists they are.

Fagus and JoMo show their totalitarian stripes. They will brooke no dissent, cotton no debate, and otherwise not tolerate anyone or anything that does not support them. And this is why JoMo has to go. He is not interested in serving his constituents. He is not interested in having us engaged. He is only interested in 1) activities that will bring him campaign contributions; 2) consolidating his power; 3) keeping his 6-figure job with great benefits that most people in the private sector would kill for, along with his big ass raise.

Levois said...

This would be fun to see in the form of video. I hope they take you up on your offer.

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