Illinois businessman and 11th Congressional District Republican candidate, Henry Meers, has called on his three opponents to engage in a series of ten debates to be held throughout the District.
Meers said there is nothing better than face-to-face debates to let the voters know about the character and positions of those who seek to serve them in the United States Congress.
“Never has this nation been in greater need of effective leadership in the halls and back rooms of the Congress,” said Meers.
“More than ever, the citizens need to know about the position, knowledge and ability of the candidates seeking their support – and there is no better way than side-by-side comparisons,” he added.
Meers said the number of debates would allow the candidates to reach every corner of the District, and cover the full range of critical issues in depth.
He said his chief negotiator would be his senior campaign advisor, Larry Horist, who has a long history of negotiating some of the most important debates in Illinois, including the dramatic confrontation between Richard Daley, Jane Byrne and Harold Washington. Meers added that he is ready to begin debate negotiations immediately.
Meers said his only prerequisite is that the debates focus on the issues, such as healthcare, economics, foreign policy, taxation, war policy and legislative reform. “We will only insist that the debates favor substance over style,” Meers said. “I am not interested in participating in a political version of the Jerry Springer Show” he added.
He said that this is the best way to see who has the courage and the knowledge to step from behind slick expensive advertising campaigns and face the voters on the issues that matter most.
Meers is encouraging his colleagues to accept invitations or arrange sponsors to host the events.
“Refusal to debate should be the first significant indicator that a candidate is undeserving of support,” Meers concluded.
