Roskam Declines Invitation to Candidate Forum Hosted by Patch, League of Women Voters

Paul October 1, 2012 at 06:48 pm

Bottom line is this guy is chicken-Sh-t. Typical tea partier/republican.

McCloud October 1, 2012 at 06:53 pm

Paul, you're back! Still catagorizing people I see. Hey take a look at this link, it reminds me of you guys.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-september-5-2012/hope-and-change-2---the-party-of-inclusion

Dick October 1, 2012 at 07:39 pm

Meanwhile, in the 8th District, Walsh wants more debates and its Duckworth that won't agree. Hum.

John Mihas October 1, 2012 at 07:40 pm

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-september-19-2012/chaos-on-bulls--t-mountain

DG Guy October 1, 2012 at 07:43 pm

Bob you are spreading nonsense. Approximately 50% of republicans are women. Please explain to us all how these women are anti-woman. How about Norma L. McCorvey who is the Roe in Roe V Wade. She became pro-life and is now a vocal opponent of abortion. Has she now become anto-woman? Who decides what is Pro-Woman and what is Anti? Is it a dude name Bob? I'm a white guy and you seem opposed to me. Can I label you anti-white?

McCloud October 1, 2012 at 08:38 pm

John, nice attempt, but it doesn't change record unemployment, record massive debt accumulated under Obama, record foreclosures, credit downgrades, and a 1% GDP. And that's not BSh-t.

Kent Frederick October 1, 2012 at 10:49 pm

I know a fair number of women, Catholic, Mainline Protestant, and evangelical Protestant women who agree with the GOP.

Kent Frederick October 1, 2012 at 10:53 pm

The Democrats are also stirring up hate, for rich people.

Kent Frederick October 1, 2012 at 10:56 pm

What purpose does a debate really serve? In the era of the internet, it is incredibly easy to look up everything every written about a candidate, as well as every word he or she has uttered in public.

J. Geoff Rove October 1, 2012 at 11:07 pm

Nice try by nonpac to air tv commercials making Walsh look like Abe Lincoln, NOT.

J. Geoff Rove October 1, 2012 at 11:08 pm

Even Cantor is debating his opponent.

Terri Timonen October 2, 2012 at 12:21 pm

Agree. I consider myself a Republican, but on this ticket I'll vote for Leslie Coolidge. I don't buy Roskam's "excuses" for declining the invitation to debate... twice now. Do you think I or other voters really buy the "previous commitment" excuse? Such blatant and arrogant dishonesty insults me as a woman first and as a voter second. Reminds me of the dating game...every now and then you date a man who is too immature to "man up" and just tell you he's not interested. I would have had more respect for Roskam if he had stated his "real" reasons for not participating in the debate instead of some lame excuse. Tsk, tsk...

Major Tom October 2, 2012 at 01:00 pm

stuff happens

Paul October 2, 2012 at 04:02 pm

I see mccloud is blaming obama for the foreclosures. You are one of the, I hate to say it dumbest individual I have encountered here. Or any blog for that matter. To blame someone for something that transpired before he even took the oath of office shows me just how incredibly out of touch from reality you are. My guess, to much airplane glue when you were a little buck.

RidgewayVol October 2, 2012 at 05:11 pm

Debates have ceased to really be a determining factor in any election. The elections today are more about soundbites and "gotcha" moments rather than reasoned and engaging debate on the important topics of the day. A true debate wouldn't limit responses to 30, 60 or 90 seconds. Our mess is too complex for that.

Barry Allen October 2, 2012 at 05:31 pm

I agree. I'll make most of my decisions based on voting records (for incumbents) and the candidates own ideas (from their websites and self authored op-ed pieces). It is just too difficult to sort out the spin given by most media sources that the publish as fact.
So ... it's important that the candidates figure out early how they're going to use social media AND how they're going to escape from just echoing the party's sound bytes and talking points. A candidate's web site that looks like it was written from the Democrat or Republican web site template counts as a NO vote. I'm truly tired of cookie cutter politicians. A candidate's effective use of social media saves me from attending a half dozen debates, wasting a lot of time, and only finding out who memorized their talking points the best and could recite them to the crowd.

Ralph "Cash" Beardsley October 2, 2012 at 06:58 pm

Roskam likely figures he's running ahead in this so there's little upside for him to participate and give his lesser known opponent more visibilty/ exposure. Too bad/ not good- it cheats interested voters of the opportunity to see the 2 of them offering their views/ philosophies on the issues. Yes these days there is the internet- and a full debate can be posted on it for all interested persons to view and then make a more informed decision!

John Mihas October 2, 2012 at 07:13 pm

you forget the markets have rebounded and record profits for corporate America,
But he did invade a country that had nothing to do with 9-11 and has not being able to fund to wars. that is bu$$$$$$$$t

John Mihas October 2, 2012 at 07:14 pm

always insightful to here from roskam apologist

Terri Timonen October 2, 2012 at 08:38 pm

I don't want to be "lumped" into a voter stereotype that all voters make their decisions based on propaganda. I disregard all propaganda-related marketing... commercials, advertisements, phone calls, media coverage, etc.. While I agree with "RidgewayVol" in that the media does focus on "gotcha" moments when covering a debate. But as you said, the full debate can be posted and viewed, raw and unedited. In my opinion, debates that are made available to the public provide candid, unadulterated information. What else is there other than making an informed decision off the candidate's curriculum vitae, previous political history and employment record (of which the public has limited access to)? What other nonpartisan information exists? Give me a 1/2-hour debate so that I may observe the candidates' behavior, body language, attitude, sincerity (or lack of) and communication skills. Then I'll have a basis for making an informed decision.

McCloud October 2, 2012 at 09:02 pm

Liberals are always the moderators for these debates. Their questions are crafted to supply the audience with a message. Why not give the moderator to a conservative for once.

Mary Ann O'Rourke October 2, 2012 at 10:50 pm

If Congressman Roskam set the date, time and venue, I'd say "yes, let's do it." Just want to hear my 6th District candidates debate.

Robert October 3, 2012 at 08:28 pm

Roskam, who seeks re-election, is now running in a newly created district that includes communities/constituents that may not be familiar with his voting record on many issues. I for one have little respect for an incumbent, regardless of his/her party affiliation, who refuses to debate his/her opponent on topics deemed of importance...this is nothing short of arrogance and demonstrates an indifference to the concerns of the people of his/her Congressional District. If Roskam fails to debate, I in turn will fail to cast my vote for him.

Christina October 4, 2012 at 05:39 am

I just checked in to see when the debate between Rubberstamp and Ms. Coolidge will be, only to discover it has been postponed . . . AGAIN! Boy, Roskam has time to send out ridiculous oversized postcards bragging about his non accomplishments, yet he cannot face his constituency. Too busy going to China and giving away US jobs, or lunching with insurance company execs? Maybe his face is shoved way up Boehner;s . . . . well, I don't know how this guy stays in office when he can't even come to Illinois for one evening. We all need to call this guy out - or maybe the way to do that is to support Ms. Coolidge!

Christina October 4, 2012 at 05:52 am

The labels and polarization of party affiliation is really irritating. It's as if McCloud (and others) are still living like the Jets and the Sharks. All open minded people are not liberals, just like all tightwads are not conservatives. (okay, I just threw that in for levity). There are many people who enjoy a common ground. Please - liberals are not always anything, and neither are conservatives. Like Obama once said, we are the United States of America.
Love from the 47 percent!!!

DFL56 October 5, 2012 at 05:04 pm

Go Leslie!

Christina October 6, 2012 at 02:30 pm

Absolutely Go Leslie! And Go Tammy, too!
BTW, I looked at Rubberstamp's House website and he has zero noted on his agenda or calendar. What is keeping him from debating Ms. Coolidge??? I am going to guess that he isn't willing to face us.

Leigh October 17, 2012 at 06:25 pm

Judy Biggert backed out of a debate with Foster too. I will not vote for anyone who will not appear in public to take questions from their constituents. Guess she is too busy fighting for tax breaks for "business creators" like Navistar, who incidentally might be laying people off in the near future.

McCloud October 17, 2012 at 08:37 pm

Is there some new idea that Leslie has yet to reveal? Lettme guess, more taxes and more spending, throw in a war on women talking point and the League of Women Voters will flush with approval. Roskam is smart to steer clear of this train wreck.

Sharon Alexander October 28, 2012 at 08:36 pm

Pro Rape Baby and voting for the Let Women Die act....yea, I know binders full of women who support this.