The Franklin County Democrat

The truth for a change. 		Published by the Franklin County Democratic Central Committee
PO Box 4883, Pasco, Washington 99301 USA
www.franklincounty-dems.org Thursday August 21, 2008 Weather at 12:45 PDT: Fair and Windy, and 75 ° F.

NEWS

Doc's campaign proposes late October debate to avoid consequences. Hastings avoiding debate (August 21)

The low turn-out is the only surprise in this year's primary. Primary turn-out low (August 20)

Just as the surge of mortgage loan defaults seems to be passing, there are reports of a rise in alternative-A loan defaults. Second Mortgage Default Wave Coming (August 05)

The Benton County Democratic Central Committee and the Franklin County Democratic Central Committee are joining with the Tri-City Democrats to host a picnic where voters can meet this years candidates. Tri-City Dems to Host Candidates (July 18)

Action Fund endorses Senator Barack Obama for President yesterday. Planned Parenthood endorses Barack Obama (July 08)

In a town hall meeting in Charlotte NC, Senator Obama lays out his plan for resurrecting the US economic. Obama touts renewables as economic stimulus (July 07)

Walmart denied Planned Parenthood's Teen Council access to its Richland, WA store on HIV awareness day. Walmart: HIV awareness too controversial (June 28)

George Fearing charmed the delegation with a rousing speech on Saturday afternoon but turned a few heads when he announced he was a pro-life Democrat. George Fearing explains what pro-life means (June 26)

The Department of Justice Inspector General reports finding widespread use of illegal hiring practices in the selection of attorneys and interns. Justice IG report: hiring practices illegal (June 25)

The US Supreme court refused to hear a Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife lawsuit seeking to force Homeland security to comply with environmental laws. Court declines to hear border fence case (June 24)

At a meeting with US governors last Friday Barack Obama said nuclear power is Obama: Nuclear power worth considering (June 23)

Expected 10% drop in Nigeria exports raises fear of further tightening of oil markets. Nigerian rebels fuel oil price fears (June 21)

Doc Hastings voted to retroactively limit the liability of telecommunications companies for complying with the illegal Bush administration requests. Hastings votes for wiretapping immunity (June 20)

EDITORIAL

The complete meltdown on the situation in Georgie reveals the depth of the Bush administration foreign policy failure. Another foreign policy fiasco (August 19)

Barack Obama speaks at the A.M.E. Church General Conference. Obama: our conscience cannot rest (July 08)

FOX has a long history of being over-the-top biased, but they're topping themselves now and advertisers will notice. FOX not-news (June 29)

Facing a long road to November Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton did what they had to yesterday in Unity New Hampshire: the made peace with each other. Unity (June 28)

In his candidate filing for Governor, Dinno Rossi avoided putting his party's name. Dino Rossi: not a Republican?!? (June 24)

With all the recent talk of party unity in support of Barack Obama in the run-up to the November election, I still hear rumblings of discontent among some of Hillary's grassroots supporters. Unforgiven (June 22)

OPINION

Both McCain and Obama have reason to hope to they can get votes Crossing the line (August 19)

Letters sent to opinions@franklincounty-dems.org must meet certain guidelines to be published. Guidelines for Opinion Letters (June 22)

LEAD STORY

Hastings avoiding debate

By David Chassin, Thursday August 21, 2008

Doc's campaign proposes late October debate to avoid consequences.

Republican Congressman Doc Hastings is trying to avoid the potential for negative coverage that would inevitably follow a debate with George Fearing, his Democratic challenger in Washington's 4th District.

"Hastings offered us a date right before the November election after we suggested a debate in September", said Mimi Latta, Fearing's deputy campaign manager, adding "it's obvious Doc wants to avoid the consequences of how uninformed and uninterested he is on the issues and problems that face 4th CD voters."

In an effort to stave off criticism, Hasting's website has been touting his legislative activities lately and shore up his image at home. Latta said "his voting records is very nearly 100% aligned with the Republican leadership in Washington DC, but now he takes credit for Democratic legislative initiatives when talking about his 'yes' votes."

Fearing campaign in very upbeat about the primary result because it shows that even with very partisan low turnout a Democrat is doing better than any since 1992. In his stump speech, Fearing has made a point of the fact that Doc does not serve on any committees that are relevant to the 4th CD, and, if elected he will make every effort to be on the House's energy and agriculture committees.

In a related story California Republican Pete McCloskey is throwing his support behind Fearing, arguing that Doc has done more to harm the Republican image. McCloskey said "the entire Republican leadership has been tainted by scandal", adding "it all happened because the House ethics committee did nothing".

Doc Hasting was chair of the ethics committee until the Democrats took of leadership of the House in 2006 after ethics scandals shook the Republican House leadership.


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