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Many have inquired about the reasons that some candidates are not
participating in the MCA debate. I have decided not to participate
in the Monday evening debate. And I agree that you are entitled to
have an explanation of my decision.<br><br>
For some time, I have been intrigued by the MCA. It set a bold
agenda for itself and I was impressed by that. But organizations
are defined not only by their missions, goals and objectives, but also by
the deeds of their members.<br><br>
First, I had hoped that a reasonable compromise would be reached with MCA
that would address the concerns raised about the original format, but
unfortunately that has not occurred. And then today, Ms. Blackburn,
President of MCA in her published editorial (Daily News) made it very
clear as to the kind of shenanigans and pressures being applied to force
candidates to participate in an event that had questionable protocols
which could be unfair to the participating candidates.<br><br>
Ms. Blackburn noted:
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<dd><font face="arial" size=2><i>For an example of possible bias in the
organization of a candidate forum, Schroeder need look no farther than a
representative of his own party, Jeff Harkins, Republican candidate for
Latah County commissioner. Harkins, as the program chairman for the
Moscow Lions Club, organized the club's candidate forum this year. </i>
</dl>It is true that I am a member of the Moscow Central Lions Club - and
I am proud of the work that we do. It is also true that I am the
Program Chair for the fall, 2004. But what Ms. Blackburn did not
tell you is that before I accepted the Program Chair responsibilities I
advised Lion President Mark Boehne that:</font>
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<dd><i>I would be willing to serve, provided that he would agree to serve
as moderator for the two (2) sessions I would schedule for the local
candidates. He agreed to those terms. So, yes indeed, I
accepted the program chair assignment for the Moscow Central Lions
Club. </i>
</dl>And the services I provided were:
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<dd><i>(1) to select two dates for the forum,
<dd>(2) compose an email inviting local candidates to the forum,
<dd>(3) notified club members of the dates,
<dd>(4) send a reminder to candidates of the forum.</i>
</dl>It is not clear to me why Ms. Blackburn would want to try to
discredit the good name of the Moscow Central Lions Club or my service to
that organization. But it is a clear example of why I am choosing not to
participate in the MCA forum.<br><br>
It is important for all of you to note that my specific service to Lions
was clearly articulated to Mr. Bill London two weeks ago - and to Ms.
Blackburn on Monday, October 18th.<br><br>
Here is what I want you folks to try to understand. I am running
for a political office that I believe demands the highest levels of
integrity and principled behavior. My interest in participating in
forum events is to make myself known to folks and to answer their
questions. Obviously I am interested in having them cast votes for
me. And here is the tough part - if what you see is a candidate
that will knuckle under to this kind of negative pressure in order to
obtain votes, how can I possibly expect you to believe that I would not
knuckle under to that kind of pressure once I am in office.
<br><br>
No, I find the statement by Ms. Blackburn to be, at best, insensitive and
inadvisable and, at worst, despicable and mean-spirited. But it
remains as a clear example of why I am choosing not to participate in the
MCA event. My participation would simply signal that their behavior
here was acceptable to me. But folks, I won't sacrifice my
integrity for votes - no political office is worth that to me.<br><br>
As to the concerns that some have expressed that by denying to
participate, we are precluding folks from finding out how I stand on the
issues. Well to date, I have not failed to respond to any question
directed to me. If you have a question about how I stand on an
issue, write me, email me or call me!<br><br>
My greatest regret is that my fellow Lions have to bear this
incident. They are the finest folks - caring and unselfish - and
they don't deserve to be tarred with this brush. And I am very
embarrassed that this matter has brought them into this fray.<br><br>
I trust this clarifies my decision.<br>
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