Collett and McCollum camps trade barbs over debates
Posted at 4:58 PM on September 9, 2010
by Tom Scheck
(34 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House
Republican Teresa Collett is criticizing DFL Rep. Betty McCollum for declining to attend a KSTP-TV/League of Women Voters debate which was scheduled to be taped on September 19th. Collett called on McCollum to explain why she is declining to attend the debate.
"What does Betty McCollum have to hide from the voters besides her record", Collett asked in a news release.
McCollum's political director Will Blauvelt said the campaign declined to attend the debate because KSTP's owner, Stanley Hubbard, has given $2,000 to Collett's campaign.
"We don't do debates where the sponsoring organization has made political contributions to our opponents," Blauvelt said. "We've had the principle for three or four cycles now."
Blauvelt said the McCollum campaign would likely accept a debate request if another TV station offered it. He also said the McCollum campaign has accepted two other debate requests.
The first is scheduled at the White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce on September 21st. The event will be at Jinny's Conference and Catering. Blauvelt said the other debate will be sponsored by the St. Paul League of Women Voters on October 21st.
Comments (34)
Betty McCollum does not want to debate Teresa Collett for the simple fact that she does not want the voters to realize just how bad her record is. Unemployment in this district has tripled since Betty was first elected. No wonder she doesnt want to debate.
Betty is your typical representative - more interested in what those in Washington think rather than what we think here in Minnesota. I hope the people that live in her district vote for Teresa Collett if, for nothing else, to get rid of representatives like Betty McCollum. Teresa looks like a good candidate and would be a welcome change from the under-representation we currently get from McCollum.
C'mon Betty - it's a public debate on TV. Are you afraid that Channel 5 will make you look bad? Have some courage - even President Obama appeared on Fox News.
...continuing my comment above...
Betty doesn't get it - it should be about the people of this district finally getting to hear from her. I think Betty has had maybe 2 town halls in the past year while Teresa Collett seems to have a town hall every week.
It doesn't matter which side you fall on, but I want a representative who actually reaches out to the community.
Betty McCollum is a coward, plain and simple. I'm tired of these congressmen and women thinking that they don't have to answer for what they've been doing. Now more than ever we need these people to prove they are worthy to represent us.
It will be an easy choice to vote for Teresa Collett in November if McCollum keeps this up.
Betty forgets she works for us and we demand this debate. She is afraid to defend her voting record because she can't and Teresa will destroy her on all issues. I am sick and tired of arrogant elected officials that will not listen to the people and forget they work for us, not the other way around. Betty is and always has been a rubber stamp for the party and can not make any decision without being told what to do by the----Pathetic!!
This is outrageous! Who is Betty? I moved to her district from Oregon five years ago and can't get over how inaccessible and seemingly apethetic she is to her constituents. I knew what my Congressman in Oregon was about and he represented his district and engaged with his constituents, and yes, even when they were his opponents. I look forward to Teresa Collett truly representing her neighbors.
If all these complainers would stop and read the article, they would see there are two debates in the offing.
Sorry republicans, your candidate just doesn't have what is needed to represent the 4th District.
If you take the time to read Betty's record you will see she has worked hard for children, women and our police, among many issues important to all citizens.
Dear Schotzi - There might be two other debates, but they're not televised debates. Betty is a disgrace to our district. I've watched many of her floor and committee statements. On the occasion that she can put two sentences together she's only repeating sound bites. Otherwise she is incoherent and rambling. I received a letter from her and her English was worse than my adoptive kid's and English is his third language. I've spoken to her staff on numerous occasions and only once have found them to be other than rude or completely incompetent.
Teresa Collette is extremely intelligent and articulate. Her credentials far surpass Betty's. She would be a much welcomed change.
Schotzi-
I'm with you. I've found Betty and her staff to be extremely accessible, helpful, and friendly. Whenever I have contacted them about an issue, I have received a prompt response. Contrary to what Tim says, that letters I've received were in perfectly and grammatically correct English.
I have NEVER heard her back down from defending her record. Even when she received death threats after the vote on healthcare reform, she spoke out and said that she stood by her vote and wouldn't back down to that type of bullying. It's absurd to think she'd speak out in the midst of threats but not be willing to defend anything else or attend a debate.
And honestly, I'd guess that most of these comments were steered here due to the fact that Teresa Collett posted a link to this blog post on her campaign's facebook page. The fact is that it is a legitimate concern to attend a debate that is being hosted by a group that is helping to fund your opponent's campaign. I have no doubt in my mind that if the shoe were on the other foot, all of you would be hollering about what a scandal that was.
What else did you expect from McCollum? I've heard her give a couple "speeches" and she's a mental midget compared to Teresa. McCollum doesn't want to be embarrassed. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Betty McCollum you have now been called out as the gutless, liberal fraud that you are. It was bad enough that you orignally agreed to this debate, but scheduled it for a Sunday morning (when you know TV viewership was low). I had my doubts when you didn't issue a press release to promote it. (I was expecting to see one come out at the last minute -- as has been your MO on most of your public appearances.)
The voters of MNCD4 deserve to see an honest debate, between the two candidates for OUR congressional seat -- on television! We'll remember in Novemer. Vote Collett!
Collett, as a law professor and potential representative gets a DWI only a few years ago and that kind of judgment doesn't give you pause? It could be chalked up as a mistake, but she took zero responsibility for it. We can forgive, but the person needs to own up to their mistakes. Collett registered .18, which is twice the legal limit, very, very drunk. She blamed her erratic behavior on medication, as if otherwise she would have been fine at .18. She also said she only had 2 glasses of wine. To register .18, this would mean she would have to weigh about 75 pounds. She put the public at risk, she lied, and as a legal professional she knows better, just doesn't care.
Betty,
CHOSE ANOTHER STATION! IT'S JUST THAT EASY!
Any of the major TV and radio outlets would be glad to host a debate.
What are you afraid of? Could it be your voting record in the last 20 months?
Collett is crazy.
This is par for the course. I've never had the opportunity to speak with Betty, and my letters are returned with boiler plate pap.
McCollum would never, not ever, accept a debate against an intelligent, competent opponent like Teresa unless it was tightly controlled by her care givers. She needs an escape hatch to bail out of quickly when her empty head runs out of talking points to spew.
Teresa would be a real breath of fresh air in the 4th CD. Unfortunately for the common sense residents of the district, we are surrounded by leftist dolts that are happy to watch Saint Paul slip beneath the rubble pile.
The only bright spot is that McCollum will be returning to a house controlled the the GOP who will move her office into the Capital basement where at least she won't be able to embaress us.
Chris,
You evidently have not attended one of Betty's public appearances. If you had, you would have heard rousing, passionate speech. Betty believes deeply in working to make this state healthy and safe. To these ends, she has introduced or co-sponsored bills. Look at her record.
On a personal level, she is interesting, involved and compassionate. I find her staff to be the same.
Betty may be likable in some situations, but this reeks of cowardice.
Some have pointed out that Betty already agreed to two other debates. One of those is sponsored by the League of Women - an organization firmly in her corner. Should Collett back out because of that?
People don't like congress right now and Betty has been part of congress for 10 years. Shouldn't she be willing to face her constituents and answer some of our questions?
Schotzi,
What record are you talking about? Other than voting 98.4% along party lines, what has she done for MNCD4? How many bills has she passed? Let me help you with that...1! One bill in 10 years, and it was to rename the post office in New Brighton!
Obamacare? It is not what they promised, and the cost curve is not bending down, it is going up.
I'm sure Betty is a nice person. But as someone who has watched her entire career in the US Cong, she is in way over her head. I don't really care which party represents Dist 4, I would just like that party to sponser a person who is a leader, not a follower. It's clear Betty does what she is told to do, and that will never make her the Speaker of the House, which is what all these US Reps should be shooting for. Any goal other then that and they are just in it to collect a gov pay check (which we ALL contribute too).
Teresa Collett, the GOP-endorsed candidate to take on Rep. Betty McCollum in November, has been cited for drinking and driving twice in the past 4 years, the Star Tribune reports. Collett is a law professor at the University of St. Thomas and has testified at the Minnesota Capitol that if same-sex marriage is legalized, pastors and religious parents will be arrested for opposing those weddings. She’s also been part of legal actions in several states aimed at making abortion illegal.
According to the Star Tribune, she was arrested in May 2006 in Minnetonka after a motorist and an officer noticed her swerving into the oncoming lane.
Collett’s blood-alcohol content was 0.17 percent — more than twice the 0.08 percent legal limit — and the officer ended a field sobriety test prematurely because Collett repeatedly lost her balance, according to a police report.
“Ms. Collett told me that she was supposed to have a talk with her husband tonight about her drinking,” the officer wrote. And just a few months earlier, she failed a breathalyzer but the officer let her go with a lesser charge.
In February 2006, Collett was cited for careless driving near Duluth. She drove her car into a snowbank while on a cell phone, according to police records. According to the police report, a state trooper determined her blood-alcohol level was 0.083 percent — slightly above the legal limit — but let her off with a careless driving citation. Collett said he told her to pull into a nearby gas station and wait 30 minutes before driving. She paid a small fine.
The article notes that Collett told GOP chair Tony Sutton about the citations after she was endorsed by the party.
And just a few months earlier, she failed a
breathalyzer but the officer let her go with a lesser charge.
In February 2006, Collett was cited for careless driving near Duluth. She drove her car into a snowbank while on a cell phone, according to police records. According to the police report, a state trooper determined her blood-alcohol level was 0.083 percent — slightly above the legal limit — but let her off with a careless driving citation. Collett said he told her to pull into a nearby gas station and wait 30 minutes before driving. She paid a small fine.
The article notes that Collett told GOP chair Tony Sutton about the citations after she was endorsed by the party.
I apologize for the last post. I should not have gotten personal.
Schotzi,
Why are you getting personal? Does it matter? She served her sentence. How many Vikings, Twins etc have DWI's? Celebrities? Congress people? I am willing to bet you know people too that have DWI's. Big deal, it is what you do after the fact that is important! Uncalled for post.
What about the Catholic church, and the cover up they did on the priests?
Why don't you bring up Dayton's drinking problems? I don't like him, but it is irrelevant! Grow up; if you want to support Betty, do so with facts, not mudslinging.
What about when Betty denied God in front of Congress? Want to talk about that? Or how about when the choice of supporting Israel, our ally or Hamas, a terrorist organization whose charter states their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of the planet, and Betty chose to support Hamas over Israel.
Nice going...
You can lob all the personal slurs and innuendo you want about individual candidates. It doesn't change the fact that the voters of CD4 want to see a debate and one candidate appears to be afraid to publicly do so. Yes - it needs to be televised. Until then, I'm convinced that she's hiding.
There are 2 FORUMS, different from a debate. And not televised. Betty canceled the televised debate because let's face it. Teresa would have shredded her. I suggest everybody attend Betty's townhall at Macalester Chapel on September 13, 5:30 pm, 1600 Grand Avenue in St Paul. THAT should be interesting. Just watch out for the Purple People Beaters. It's being organized by Barry's Club, Organizing for America.
Wow, afraid to debate Collett? Betty needs to retire from Congress if she can't even agree to a public debate on T.V. CD4 deserves better than that! Betty, if you aren't going to engage those you represent and tell us about your liberal ideas and record, please step down and let someone else represent us!
I don't know where you all are looking, but Betty has made plenty of public appearances. She always has. Furthermore, if she was in "hiding" as you all seem to think, then why is all this information, including her future whereabouts, posted on her website?
August 3 -- health care roundtable
August 3 -- EPA press conference
August 5 -- public education hearing
August 10 -- went back to DC to vote on money for CD 4; prevented layoffs for teachers, police, EMTs, firefighters, etc.
August 20 -- Oakdale energy event
August 25 -- NEA event
August 31 -- MN Hospital event
September 3 -- J&J Distributing event
According to the article, Betty has already accepted debates from Teresa Collett. Given her townhall in August 2009, she handled herself very well. Teresa Collett shouldn't be a problem for her at all televised or not.
Sounds to me like Betty doesn't have anything to hide at all and just wants a fair debate.
Hey Avery, you missed the point. Any politician can make lots of "public appearances" and look good doing it. I want to hear Betty and Teresa go head to head and discuss and defend their positions in a DEBATE. It's really sad that an incumbent member of Congress would refuse to debate her apponent simply because someone from the T.V. station gave money to Collett's campaign. If Betty is the better candidate she should have nothing to fear. As another comment stated, just agree to debate on any T.V. channel. KARE11?, WCCO? FOX9? TPT?, CNN?, whatever channel. Betty, by refusing the KSTP channel 5 debate you've effectively snubbed your nose at the 4th CD voters and you don't deserve to represent us.
Betty, as our elected Congresswoman, should actually be the one to lead in requesting these debates, not Teresa. So, Betty, please be a leader and take the initiative to contact Teresa and schedule some debates. If you don't take this initiative then Teresa really ought to be our Congresswoman - because she's taking the initiative to lead, not follow (or run away for that matter), and that is what the 4th CD needs.
You keep accusing Betty of "running away," yet when I pointed out all the times she has been available to the public, you've said any politician can schedule those things. So which is it? The reason I posted that information is because she has been accused of hiding behind her record, whereas all these appearances are touting that very record. That doesn't strike me as someone who is hiding or ashamed. That behavior also doesn't strike me as being in fear either.
I'm curious, though, how you all would react if the positions were reversed? What if KSTP had given Betty a donation and then expected to host a debate with Teresa Collett? Do you all think that's fair? I certainly don't.
Avery, I can't speak for Teresa, but I've heard her speak and share her ideas for MN, the 4th CD, and the nation and I can't imagine that she would be unwilling to debate Betty if the tables were turned. As I said earlier, what T.V. station will it be? I can't imagine her refusing the opportunity to debate Betty.
If you have the chance, you ought to go to one of Teresa's coffee/town hall events and hear her share her ideas and concerns for MN and the Nation. She is very articulate/clear about her convictions and, I believe, is clearly the best candidate for the 4th CD. I think you would agree if you got to know her and her views, because she's all about upholding the principles and values in the Constitution - something that is really lacking in our current elected officials - republican and democrat alike.
Does anyone seriously think that given the bias in media giving that this is a rational explanation! (88% goes to democrats http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/media-politics.html). Her chosen venue of MPR is also listed in contributions (employees) directly to Betty. Another of these forums, I believe I read, is a private meeting. Not exactly the free and open debate that the constituents of CD4 need and deserve!
Avery, you said, I'm curious, though, how you all would react if the positions were reversed? What if KSTP had given Betty a donation and then expected to host a debate with Teresa Collett? Do you all think that's fair? I certainly don't.
Welcome to the conservative's world Avery. The MSM is always donating to liberals. Slant it any way you want. Betty bailed.
Actually, the more I think about this "excuse" the more I believe it may just be another example of the thuggish retribution behavior that has been demonstrated time and again. Control the money, by giving retribution to those who dare to go against you, so your opponents have no resources!
We just saw it with Target, another example:
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/09/09/soros-watch-45-million-to-sabotage-americas-judiciary/comment-page-1/#comment-982927
Avery Spencer, listing Betty's past schedule is misleading, She may have made those appearances but never, never gave any one any advance notice she was going to do it - well maybe a day or two. She has been hiding for years. She thinks all she has to do is keep her head down and she will be re-elected out of force of habit. Not this year, Betty!
The most important part of her job was to pass the budget and the democratic congress didn't do it and she never said a word. Why didn't they pass a budget you ask? Because it is going to be so ugly they knew when people learned about it would find them no matter what rock they tried to hide under.
Did you know that McCullum and her pals spent $328,000 in stimulus money in Africa teaching men how to wash their privates. That's money they borrowed from China using our children and grandchildren s future as collateral. Have you got a family member unemployed? I do.
It was lousy of her to still us all on today's debate.
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