Andy Martin issues debate challenge to primary election opponents

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2007

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN ISSUES DEBATE CHALLENGE

(Chicago)(August 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Friday, August 17th to challenge his potential primary opponents to a series of statewide debates.

“We need an open party and an open primary,” Martin will state. “Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair was an outstanding success because all were welcome.

“Indeed, our county chairmen were given a surprise ‘first look’ at the U. S. Senate candidates, and I received an overwhelmingly favorable response. The impression of the assembled media was a consensus that I won the joint appearance because I spoke on an impromptu basis without a written speech or notes.

“We are kidding ourselves if we think screaming ‘liberal’ at Dick Durbin is enough to make him go down to defeat. My impression is that my opponents lack a coherent strategy for campaigning against Durbin. They think slogans are a substitute for substance. I will match my qualifications and experience and credibility against that of any candidate, announced or unannounced.

“It is in this spirit of openness that I challenge my opponents to debate across the state. I challenge them to a series of ten (10) debates, in cities to be selected.

“What primary voters want is what the county chairmen got—a free and open debate where the candidates present their qualifications and the party remains neutral. I am prepared to take on all comers.

“I don’t see how anyone can seriously expect to
challenge Senator Durbin if they are afraid to debate me,” Martin stated in issuing his challenge. “Either the candidates could agree on the times and places, or the state party could make the arrangements. The state party has shown a willingness to respect an open playing field and I trust the state party to stay neutral.

“Either way, I will be there,” Martin will state. “And if
they are not there, I’ll debate an empty chair. To paraphrase Joe Louis, they can ‘run,’ but they can’t hide [from the voters].”

Martin’s challenge is being delivered to announced and
unannounced candidates Friday afternoon.

Martin returns to Chicago from Springfield Friday morning
after a strategy breakfast with supporters.

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Southeast corner of Huron and Wabash Streets, Chicago
(St. James cathedral)

WHEN: Friday, August 17, 2007 4:00 P.M.

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 (also forwarded to cell)

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

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Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com