The 200 people who attended the Republican U.S. Senate Paducah debate in February, saw a rare sight these days, Trey Grayson and Rand Paul in the same place for a debate.
Of the three Louisville "debates" in the Senate race scheduled between Saturday and Wednesday, none of them feature both Paul and Grayson.
Saturday, 10am-Noon: Rand Paul (but not Trey Grayson) is scheduled to appear at Evangel Conference Center.
Sunday, 4pm-6pm: Trey Grayson and John Stephenson (but not Rand Paul) are scheduled to appear at The Kentucky Young Republican Federation candidate forum and straw poll at Central High.
Wednesday, 6pm: Trey Grayson and Gurley Martin (but not Rand Paul) at The Metropolitan Republican Women’s Club debate at the Clifton Center Theatre.
Rand Paul's absence at the the Metropolitan Republican Women’s Club event has upset the group, whose President Julie Hinson wrote that Paul had confirmed to the debate but backed out with less than two weeks notice:
“His withdrawal at this late date is unfathomable. To withdraw just 13 days prior to the event while dedicated volunteers labored and expenses were incurred is unacceptable. Our expenses include among other things hall rental, insurance, and printing. These are not insignificant. I had fliers advertising the event printed that can now not be used.”
Apparently, the Paul campaign did not approve of the format or the moderator (Mitch McConnell biographer John David Dyche) who wrote an op-ed piece in the Courier-Journal with a number of pointed questions to Paul.
Bridget Bush, on her Elephants in the Bluegrass blog, attacks Paul's decision:
Here are the rest of the rules:
• Forum will last 90 minutes
The Public Forum Format is outlined below:
• One-minute introductory statements by each candidate
• A series of questions as to which each candidate will have one minute to respond. After each candidate has responded, there will be an untimed period in which candidates can react to the responses of other candidates, or the moderator can follow-up with questions for particular candidates. Assuring equal time and fairness of opportunity during this period will be up to the moderator. The goal is to have as balanced, free-flowing, and informative an exchange as possible.
• One-minute closing statements by each candidate.
Here is information from the campaigns and organizers on the other "debates" in Louisville:
Rand will be back in Louisville on Saturday for the second U.S. Senate debate of the campaign. The first was back in January on the University of Louisville campus. This one will be held March 13, 10 am ET at Evangel Conference Center, 6900 Billtown Rd and is sponsored by a long list of Tea Party and grassroots citizens groups.
KENTUCKY YOUNG REPUBLICANS TO HOST STRAW POLL AND CANDIDATE FORUM
Will Feature Candidates for U.S. Senate, Third Congressional District and Louisville Metro Mayor
Louisville, KY – The Kentucky Young Republican Federation will host its first ever candidate forum and straw poll, to feature candidates on the ballot in the Third Congressional District.
Members will be able to cast ballots in a straw poll at the forum, where they will hear from the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress (KY-03) and Louisville Metro Mayor. In order to vote, registered Republicans must be members of the Louisville Young Republicans. There are two forms of membership: member (18-40 years old) and associate member (41+ years old). All are welcome to attend the candidate forum.
What: Third District Candidate Forum and Straw Poll
Who: All Interested Republican Primary Voters
When: Sunday, March 14
4:00-6:00 PM
Where: Central High School Auditorium, 1130 W. Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY
Candidates confirmed to speak include:
U.S. Senate: Trey Grayson, John Stephenson
U.S. Congress: Larry Hausman, Todd Lally, Jeff Reetz, Brooks Wicker
Louisville Metro Mayor: Hal Heiner, Chris Thieneman
*All GOP candidates have been invited to speak or send a representative. At the time of this release, the proceeding candidates had been confirmed.
The results of the straw poll will be announced on Monday, March 15. Special thanks to event sponsors Red Solutions Group and Sampan Screen Print.
The Kentucky Young Republican Federation is the official organization for young conservatives aged 18-40. For more information, please visit www.louisvilleyr.com.
The Metropolitan Republican Women’s Club (of Louisville), an affiliate member of the Kentucky Federation of Republican Women, has, for many months, been organizing a Public Forum for all of the Republican senatorial candidates as a public service to the citizens of Kentucky. This event has taken on special significance since KET will not be televising a debate this year.
In a letter to KFRW President Willee Cooper, Metro President Julie Hinson wrote, “His withdrawal at this late date is unfathomable. To withdraw just 13 days prior to the event while dedicated volunteers labored and expenses were incurred is unacceptable. Our expenses include among other things hall rental, insurance, and printing. These are not insignificant. I had fliers advertising the event printed that can now not be used.”
This process to get on Candidate Paul’s schedule began on Dec 21, 2010, during a telephone conversation with campaign manager David Adams when he confirmed that Rand Paul would participate in the MRWC Public Forum on March 17, 2009, in Louisville. President Hinson then followed this discussion with a detailed letter dated February 18, 2010. She not only mailed this letter to Paul headquarters, but hand delivered it to the candidate at the Jefferson County Lincoln Dinner. She spoke with Rand Paul personally and he never gave any indication whatsoever that he would not attend.
President Hinson further stated: “Let me assure you that this event will go forward with or without Candidate Paul. His absence will obviously not go unnoticed. KFRW is a strong force statewide in electing Republican candidates at all levels and has played an important role for over 50 years. Women voters are a majority of the electorate, and we are saddened by Candidate Paul’s failure to recognize our entire organization’s importance in the election process. It is our hope that once he considers the opportunity that he is conceding to his opponents, that he will standby his original commitment and appear.”
