Debate between James Watkins and Jay Inslee turns confrontational

"BAINBRIDGE ISLAND—The American Legion Hall on Bainbridge Island was packed with supporters of James Watkins and Jay Inslee Monday night in their only scheduled debate. There was standing room only for the raucous crowd which in turns jeered or clapped for their preferred candidate. While Watkins maintained composure throughout the night, Inslee seemed thrown off from the start by Watkins’ opening question of him, and he never quite recovered.



“Inslee appeared shocked by the turnout on his refuge of Bainbridge Island. I’d say fiscal conservatives outnumbered his partisans by three to one,” said Watkins, referring to Inslee’s refusal to debate anywhere but in his home town. “Inslee had partisan attacks and talking points, but I had facts and the truth. It was clear Inslee didn't know what was in the bills he voted for.”



The candidates began the debate with questions of each other, and Watkins asked Inslee pointedly about his intention to run for governor, because, said Watkins, “We can’t afford a part-time representative.”



Watkins also asked Inslee for a pledge that if re-elected, Inslee would refuse his congressional salary while he campaigns during his legislative term: “Will you pledge tonight to refuse your $175,000 per year congressional salary during the next two years? Taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund your living expenses while you run for governor.”



Like he has with tough questions this entire election, Inslee ducked. He spent his allotted time filibustering and avoiding the questions. The crowd saw through the delay and shouted for a direct answer. But they never got one.



At Inslee’s turn to ask one question of Watkins, he refused to engage Watkins in a back and forth on policy, preferring instead to complain about James’ question.



Watkins says, “The choice is clearer than ever. If voters want more of the same failed partisan politics, Inslee is their guy. If they want independent leadership and commitment to responsible government, they’ll vote for me.”



Inslee has voted with his party leadership 99% of the time (OpenCongress.org) and referred to his opponents as the “forces of darkness” (2/12/10 Connelly, Seattle P-I).



The Legionnaires selected questions from audience submissions as well as from emailed questions, and they grouped them in five categories: taxes, economy, immigration, healthcare, and “other.” Watkins made his positions clear in every category and remained unrattled in Inslee’s hometown. In contrast, Inslee complained several times about the engagement of the crowd, one time reproving 1st District residents present who weren’t his neighbors on Bainbridge Island.



Watkins is the only candidate that has fostered the creation of new private-sector jobs throughout the country. At the federal level he cut government spending as an FDIC troubleshooter. For more information on James Watkins, visit www.WatkinsForCongress.com."


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Christy Anderson

Watkins for Congress
 
Where are promised green jobs? click here.
Common sense candidate, click here.