Mass Dems Chair Invites Massachusetts GOP Chair to Debate Party Platforms
Walsh proposes five debates focused on how party platforms treat issues like job creation, middle-class security, Medicare, women’s healthcare and equal pay.
BOSTON - A day after former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey encouraged Massachusetts Republicans to "span out" to talk about Mitt Romney's record as Governor and the Republican Party's platform, Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh sent a letter to Massachusetts Republican Party chair Bob Maginn inviting him to participate in five debates focused on how the two parties' platforms treat issues like job creation, middle-class security, Medicare, women’s healthcare and equal pay.
The full text of the letter is below:
Robert Maginn, Chairman
Massachusetts Republican Party
85 Merrimac St.
Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Yesterday, I was encouraged to hear that former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey urged the Massachusetts Republican delegation in Tampa to “span out” and “get the record out there” about Mitt Romney’s term as Governor and the national Republican Party platform.
I fully agree with Lt. Gov. Healey that we in Massachusetts know Mitt Romney best and it is in that spirit that I am writing to invite you to participate in a series of public debates about the national Republican and Democratic platforms around the Commonwealth this fall. Massachusetts’s voters are facing a stark choice in November and they deserve to have a rigorous and issues-focused debate, not just from candidates running for office, but from the leadership of our two parties as well.
Among other issues, I think you and I should debate how our respective platforms treat issues like job creation, middle-class security, Medicare, women’s healthcare and equal pay.
To make sure we speak to issues of concern in every corner of the Commonwealth, I propose that you and I meet for public debates in Framingham, Salem, Worcester, Springfield and New Bedford. As for the format, moderators and other details, I would suggest that each debate be sponsored and planned jointly by the local Democratic and Republican Committees.
While I feel that any number of debate formats will allow us to articulate our parties’ distinctly different visions for the Commonwealth and our nation, I do feel that it is more helpful for voters to hear from the leaders of our two parties. To be clear, I am asking you to debate in your capacity as the Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.
Please let me know as soon as you can if you will accept this offer to debate so we can start planning.
Sincerely,
John E. Walsh, Chairman
Massachusetts Democratic Party
Mike Combs
2:37 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
I hope the Republicans are unafraid to do this. I've met many people who think both parties are the same and this would be a chance for them to learn about the differences.
Iron Mike
10:12 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012
The Blimp has a plan...he's debate the Midget...5 times...and distract the attention of the media from 12 horrible candidates: Obama-Biden, Warren, and all 9 TaxoCrats running for Congress.
Mike Combs
1:53 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
I hope Republicans will debate the issues and their platform and leave the name-calling and other distractions behind. Democracy works best when voters set aside the anger from the lunatics and can focus on the truth of the issues at hand.
Iron Mike
2:12 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
The 'issues' are all around you Mike – plain as the nose on your face.
For decades there's been virtually ZERO difference between the Mass Democratic Party and the Labor Unions – both the industrial unions and the government unions.
But there's been a CHANGE in the balance between them...
For 60+ years Democrat-controlled government has passed a myriad of laws and regulations on business and industry – while unions cheered.
Eventually every factory and business that could move – moved to NH or Mexico or China and India. Now the Merrimack Valley [the Cradle of the Industrial Revolution] is in economic free-fall, folks shop in NH, or buy on-line. The legacy of 1-party rule is the empty factories, and our state ranking 47th most expensive to do business in.
None of the Democrats have a plan to bring manufacturing back. Several want to raise our income tax to 6% - 'to fund all their programs'.
So Mike - what is your favorite 'Program'?
Tyler Jozefowicz
7:01 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
I agree. let them debate.
As to Mike, companies moved overseas and depleted our manufacturing base because they wanted a cheap labor supply, virtually slave labor, nothing a middleclass family could survive on. They moved overseas to maximize profits for their shareholders and bonuses for their CEOs. Employment was not on their minds. If we had Universal healthcare, that would be one less cost businesses would have to worry about, one less business Bain Capital could destroy.
Let them debate. Afraid of something?
Iron Mike
4:29 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Per the Boston Herald: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh scrambled to apologize this afternoon hours after a convention kickoff gaffe this morning when he said U.S. Sen. Scott Brown was trying to be an “honorary girl” by folding laundry.
The guy is pure genius...
Mike Combs
8:56 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
In a state dominated by one party, a fair and open debate to discuss the platforms would help voters get past the distractions and lies that are repeated by people like Iron Mike.
Iron Mike and the GOP want less regulations on food. I want companies required to tell me which foods are genetically modified and required to follow safe practices to protect against e-coli and salmonella.
They want less regulations on banks. After President Bush spent my tax dollars bailing out banks, I think banks should be prohibited from gambling with my money on risky investments. Let them live off the interest on loans and require them to loan wisely.
Less regulation on pollution? I remember BP's big bet on cutting corners drilling for oil and that my tax dollars and coast guard had to deal with the mess. If a company is pumping toxic chemicals into the ground, air or water, they should be accountable to more than just their shareholders.
Reasonable people understand that competition and the free market work best when there are rules and referees.