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October 18, 2010 in City, Region
5th District congressional debate is back on
Democrat Darryl Romeyn, left, is challenging Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.
(Full-size photo)
The candidates in Washington’s 5th congressional district will debate after all, on Tuesday.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the incumbent Republican, and Democratic challenger Daryl Romeyn reportedly have cleared their calendars for Tuesday afternoon. They’ll tape a debate in the afternoon that will be aired at 7 p.m. on KXLY-TV and 8 p.m. on KSPS-TV.
“Both sides have agreed to be there tomorrow,” Jill Johnson, the producer of the debate, said this morning.
Each candidate came under fire last week for turning down the debate, which has been under discussion since mid August. McMorris Rodgers’ campaign declined to participate last Monday, citing “scheduling constraints,” prompting Romeyn to say her refusal was denying him a chance to be heard.
McMorris Rodgers staff contacted Johnson Friday morning, saying they would clear her schedule for the debate. But on Friday evening, Romeyn told KXLY-TV that he wouldn’t agree because he’d scheduled something after she turned down the debate and he couldn’t get out of his commitment. If McMorris Rodgers wanted to debate him, she should appear at one of the places he intended to be, he said.
Sunday night, however, Romeyn contacted Johnson and said he’d be willing to debate after all. After contacting the two stations sponsoring the debate, she said the debate could be taped at 3 p.m. for broadcast that evening.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
polistra on October 18 at 10:46 a.m.
Probably a bit late. The people who watch debates have already sent in their ballots.
bdr on October 18 at 11:04 a.m.
Obviously Cathy will win, but Mr Romeyn is a very good contender
he will make it someday!
I like the guy! he gets my vote….this round.
he gives me more for the dollar than Cathy’s party of no!
misjustice on October 18 at 11:30 a.m.
I’ll be watching!
I’m glad that Mr. Romeyn relented and accepted Cathy’s flip-flop. The voters deserve to have that debate/ “interview” with any candidate applying for the job, incumbent or not.
spokanecougar on October 18 at 12:26 p.m.
Glad this debate is FINALLY happening. I sure hope Mr. Romeyn attacks this women’s horrible record and shows how little she has done for Spokane and this area, while doing as much as she can to help her own standing in her party in Washington DC. Sorry Cathy we elected you to help Spokane, not your party pals in DC in doing nothing but saying NO.
Also, I did enjoy how Cathy voted against the stimulus bill yet still touted her “effort” in getting money for the North-South Freeway that came from that stimulus bill she voted against. She then even had the gall to show up at the ground breaking ceremony beginning the construction the southbound lanes. What a hypocrite, she says one thing in Washington DC but then comes and says something totally different when she comes home.
schleufer on October 18 at 1:08 p.m.
I voted Daryl and mailed my ballot yesterday, I want to watch this debate however even if Daryl showed up i’n a body bag he would still get my vote. He may be new to this game but we need someone who will listen and try and we just ainte gonna get there with Cathy taking orders from boehner.
Good luck Daryl
jddavis on October 18 at 1:12 p.m.
Sure hope Daryl shows up with more than “forest management”, otherwise, it will be pretty boring! I am glad he manned-up though…
zelda on October 18 at 1:25 p.m.
Daryl has to have a position on forest management because Cathy’s main base is Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties and the extraction industries. She emerged from her space pod in Republic, WA., after all. Daryl is an outdoorsman and a farmer, so he is demonstrating that he relates to issues and concerns voiced by those groups as well.
I listened to Daryl’s interview on KXLY last week and he has positions on many issues — not just forest management.
jddavis on October 18 at 1:35 p.m.
“*Protect natural resources - our chunk of earth and sky - through environmental stewardship. We can boost rural economies and protect green forests and valuable watersheds by building “light on the land” firebreaks in our national forests. Benefits include jobs, timber, and clean air to breath in Spokane during fire season.”
One of his main topics, one that he gives the most detail. I am hoping for more specifics on economic recovery and growth, military involvement in Afghanistan, taxes, healthcare, immigration, business friendly environment, Gitmo, illegal drugs, protection of 2nd Amendment, etc. Yeah, firebreaks would be nice…but let’s go for the big issues first.
horse_feathers on October 18 at 1:51 p.m.
She will kick his butt
Shylock13 on October 18 at 2:10 p.m.
Regardless of what political views you have, you should agree that such debates are valuable to the voting public. Both candidates blew it earlier by refusing to debate. In her initial refusal to debate, the incumbent apparently couldn’t be bothered to waste her valuable time debating an underdog opponent. The public reaction to that refusal must have hit home. Then the challenger blew his opportunity to be magnanimous, possibly understandably. At least now the voters can actually hear both candidates debate the issues…and I hope that is what they do. I’ve seen far too much negative campaigning from all sides this year.