Democratic Party rips into Brunner for skipping today's Senatorial debate

(From the Missouri Democratic Party)

John Brunner has twice been invited to strap on some pads and play a little tackle football with real debates moderated by independent media questioners, but he has refused to participate in the first two debates of the Republican Senate primary. Instead, Brunner's advisors will only agree to a friendly game of powder-puff within the scripted confines of a forum hosted by his friends at the Missouri Republican Party.

“John Brunner’s campaign has been one false start after another, looking more like the Bad News Bears than the kind of organization capable of winning a contested primary for the US Senate,” said Caitlin Legacki, Missouri Democratic Party spokeswoman. “Missourians deserve the chance to ask real questions of these Senate candidates about their extreme positions and, in Brunner’s case, his questionable business practices. Missourians deserve to know why Brunner is hiding behind his fancy ads and highly-paid consultantsinstead of answering questions from voters.”

On Friday, Earls Family Radio, based in Branson, Mo., announced Steelman and Akin would attend a debate on January 30, while Brunner reneged on a previous promise to attend their debate.

Brunner’s campaign issued a press release December 8, 2011, calling for a series of debates. After taking heat for skipping the primary’s first two debates, Brunner’s campaign stated it’s a “time-honored tradition for floundering campaigns to clamor for debates.”

Political reporters have said Brunner’s debate maneuvering “reeks of posturing.” [Politico.com, 12/19/11]