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Barbs fly between congressional candidates over debate
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The race for Congressional District 25 is beginning to heat up on the west coast.
While the snipes and accusations have been flying for awhile in Miami-Dade County, where the majority of constituents reside, disputes are now finding their way over to Collier County.
Two weeks ago, Democratic candidate Joe Garcia, D-Miami, held a conference call, accusing incumbent Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, of refusing to debate him.
“We have markedly different visions of how government should work. (A debate) doesn’t require hostility,” Garcia said. “I know Mario Diaz-Balart. He’s a good guy. But, by no means, do I agree with his views.”
Collier County voters should be able to listen to the competitors duke out issues, Garcia said.
To that, Diaz-Balart chuckled.
“The primaries aren’t even over yet,” Diaz-Balart said.
When the primaries are completed, Diaz-Balart said he will be more than happy to debate Garcia. He is more than willing to discuss issues with Garcia in an unbiased setting, meaning not a Democratic Party-organized event, or a small event thrown together at one condominium, or homeowners association on either the east or west coast, Diaz-Balart said.
A September debate had been tentatively scheduled on Univision, one of the more prominent Spanish-speaking television stations, but the dates offered may conflict with other plans Diaz-Balart has prescheduled. Diaz-Balart noted he is still a working congressman and he meets with his constituents during recess. Diaz-Balart said he’s also speaking with Telemundo, another Spanish-speaking television station, about scheduling time for a debate.
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Either way the resdients these two might represent on the West Coast have NO representation.
As their main priority is the bulk of their voters on the east coast. Who we have nothing in common with!
Sure hope in 2010 when the State legislature redraws the Congressional District lines they don't sell us out like our own Burt Saunders did in 2000 to give us this situation.
As many Collier residents have been dis-enfranchised!
#1 Posted by swampparadise on August 16, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Collier residents feel disenfranchised, they should look at the reason. The incumbent, Mario Diaz-Balart, drew the district for himself in 2001. (He headed redistricting in the State House at the time.) And he drew Collier into CD 25 for electoral reasons -- never with the intention of representing Collier constituents...
In fact, Diaz-Balart does little to help out 95% of his constituents in Dade also. He's been called a one-trick pony -- he is fixated on his hate for Cuba and his uncle Fidel Castro.
So for those in Collier who feel left out, it's time to get rid of the legislator who drew Collier into a district which sits in limbo.
#2 Posted by alfernandez on August 16, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agree w/you "alfernandez", but it's easier said than done . . it was Burt Saunder's vote tho and agreement w/Diaz-Balart that tipped the scale.
As you say, Diaz-Balart is definitely a "one trick pony"! NO interest whatever in the serious issues that impact FL, or Collier, residents.
If you lived in Diaz-Balart's Congressional district in Collier, and were against that amnesty bill last year you had NO representation at all .. as even Sen. Mel Martinez (a "RINO") was for it .. another "one trick pony"!
Would be nice if they'd put America first, and their heritage second for a change! That's why I won't vote for a Hispanic. They all seem to be that way!
#3 Posted by swampparadise on August 17, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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