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Hall refuses to debate McCamley
Ben Hall
District 5 Public Regulation Commission candidate Ben Hall has rejected a challenge from his Democratic opponent to debate him several times across the district before the Nov. 2 election.
“…just because two opposing candidates do not interact with one another along the campaign trail that does not lead to the degradation of trust between the public and elected officials,” the Republican Hall wrote in an e-mail sent to Democrat Bill McCamley and members of the media this evening.
“I appreciate your invitation to debate but I will respectfully decline. With as many events that are coming up in September and October I am sure we will cross paths somewhere along the campaign trail,” he wrote.
Hall didn’t give a reason in his letter for rejecting McCamley’s challenge. But he did say he can “interact with the public and inform them of my background, knowledge of issues and my experience thru my web site, e-mail and the many forms of media that are available.”
Bill McCamley
McCamley challenged Hall earlier this month to jointly appear at 10 forums across the district this month and next month.
“…since we are both participating in this election as publicly financed candidates with limited budgets for traditional campaign strategies, the opportunity to communicate directly with possible constituents in a thoughtful, meaningful, and detailed manner should be something we should seek with open arms,” McCamley wrote in his e-mail to Hall.
“It has been a number of years since anyone has participated in a comprehensive series of debates like this would be, and hopefully it would set a precedent for candidates in other races,” McCamley wrote.
As I’ve disclosed in the past, I’m friends with McCamley. Click here to read more about that.
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I finally met Hall for the first time a couple of nights ago at a Republican fundraising dinner in Mesilla. NOT impressed and neither were many other people. Talking with him for 5 minutes I can see why he doesn’t want to debate. He isn’t a very intellectual person so maybe he’ll fit in perfectly at the PRC if he wins.
Seriously I’m even more disgusted that my fellow Republicans didn’t do their homework before voting for this man. I don’t want to play a race card but seems like the only explanation as to why Hall beat Mr. Estrada. Sad.
Mr.Hall at least exhibits some sense by refusing to debate Mr.McCamley. There is nothing to be gained by allowing himself to be thrashed in public by an opponent who is more knowledgeable, more articulate, more educated and a standout debater. If Mr. Hall were to debate Mr. McCamley the outcome would be a disaster for Mr. Hall and make very clear to the electorate the shortcomings of Mr. Hall’s candidacy. If Mr. Hall just keeps his powder dry and steers clear of Mr. McCamley the most that can be said of him is that he shows some political cowardice in refusing to debate. That’s a heck of a lot safer than leaving no doubt in voter’s mind as to the better candidate.
I am a lifelong Republican and I for one am thankful that Kent Evans did not win the primary. I will vote for McCamley, because regardless of his party, he does what is right. I witnessed him make an unpopular vote as a County Commissioner against the wishes of both Democrats and Republicans. He made the unpopular vote because he listened to the concerns of employees and the knew impact of the impending vote would have. That is exactly the intestinal fortitude and decision making abilities I want in an Elected Official. I wish we had more McCamley’s in office!
Agree with “Ramirez.” Evans needs to hang it up forever. Folks in my county were very impressed with Jamie Estrada and wanted him to win. But won’t be voting for a guy like this Ben Hall guy who no one knows, ducks debates and hides behind a shroud.
McCamley’s note to him wasn’t an invitation to tea. Reads like he just wanted us voters to have a chance to hear both sides. The PRC’s important to my business. Well, guess McCamley is turning out to be the mature one of the two. Not sure he will get my vote, but Hall definitely won’t be.
Thanks a lot Kent Evans. Now this is McCamley’s race to win for sure.