Thune Hammers Daschle for Ducking Debates

New press release:

DASCHLE DUCKS DEBATES

Thune accepts seven debates, forums in August

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota Republican Senate candidate John Thune has accepted seven requests for debates or forums in August while Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle has tentatively accepted only one.

“South Dakotans deserve to hear a thorough discussion of the issues by both candidates,” Thune said. “Senator Daschle’s refusal to accept invitations from several South Dakota organizations for debates and forums denies voters that discussion.”

The first U.S. Senate forum is scheduled tomorrow, Wednesday, August 4, in Pierre sponsored by the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education. Thune will definitely attend the forum while Senator Daschle has refused to participate.

Thune has also accepted a debate request by KSFY-TV and the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls while Daschle again refused to participate.

Other debate/forum invitations accepted by Thune include the Associated School Boards of South Dakota and School Administrators of South Dakota; Mitchell Chamber of Commerce; Dakotafest 2004; Yankton Interchange, Inc.; and the Sioux Valley Clinic. So far, Daschle has only accepted Dakotafest 2004.

“The U.S. Senate is in recess for the entire month of August so Senator Daschle has no apparent conflicts with these legitimate debate/forum requests,” Thune said.

Thune has also accepted another fifteen requests from South Dakota organizations for debates and forums in September and October. Daschle has not responded to these requests.