A group of tea-party activists in Texas will host a “modified Lincoln–Douglas debate” between Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich next month.
Bill O’Sullivan, the treasurer of Texas Tea Party Patriots PAC, tells National Review Online that both candidates have confirmed their attendance at the forum, which will focus on fiscal issues.
O’Sullivan says the event, which will be held on November 5 at the Woodlands Resort near Houston, will also feature Rep. Steve King (R., Iowa) as an emcee.
In background conversations, both campaigns say they look forward to the discussion. A source close to Gingrich tells NRO that the former speaker will speak at length about his policy proposals and will, “in a friendly way,” illustrate his differences with Cain.
“We initially wanted a forum with all of the candidates,” O’Sullivan says. “But when we heard Gingrich say he wanted a more serious debate, like the Lincoln–Douglas debates, we wanted to do that, especially since watching the recent superficial debates has been frustrating.”
Organizing the event was relatively easy, he adds. “We had a relationship with Herman Cain. He spoke at our tea-party event six months ago. We contacted him, asking if he was interested in a Lincoln–Douglas debate on entitlements. Then we got in touch with Speaker Gingrich.”
“This debate is going to be dominated by the candidates going back and forth, in a respectful way,” O’Sullivan says. “It will be divided into parts, one for each major entitlement — Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid — with each candidate detailing their arguments.”
No broadcast network has agreed to air the exchange but O’Sullivan is hopeful. “These two candidates have been the most interesting people to watch in the debates,” he says. “So having them together for a modified Lincoln–Douglas debate will be great; it’ll be a real opportunity for the conversation about entitlements to get serious.”
Advice to Herman: Call in sick. (Youtube "covers" all events.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusewhich one is taking the pro-slavery position?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseUnless you are an ignorant, liberal shill, and if that is the case, I can understand your lack of both civility and intellect, I do not see any humor in this comment since human slavery is abhorrent and best left to the dustbin of history to be dredged up as an example of how people should not regard one another. If you are sincere and claim to be a fiscal conservative, you should seek a party more willing to accommodate your disturbing viewpoint.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLiberals have taken the pro-plantation position since the 1930s. In other words, liberals/democrats like their African-American voters on the democrat plantation.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy gut is they'll be running on the same ticket.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI sure hope so!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWorth pointing out that as they are both residents of Georgia, they cannot constitutionally be on the same ticket. Not hard for one of then to move though, like Chaney did for Bush back in 00, when he moved from Texas to Wyoming. I do want them on the same ticket though, so Cain should move back to Missouri, where he served at the Kansas City fed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI believe they can be on the same ticket, it's just not been done before because of the hoops that need to be jumped through and I believe delegates having to vote in some odd way.
But just because it hasn't been done before, doesn't mean it can't be done now.
Maybe 2012 will be a truly historic election, in more ways than one.
I would most assuredly vote for a Cain/Gingrich ticket.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSee the 12th Amendment which says that the president and vice-president must be from different states.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt lives in VA...end of problem. :)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Having to vote in some odd way" --> the electoral college from that state can't vote for the ticket. (Whether they can abstain or have to vote for the other ticket, though, I'm not sure...)
With Georgia being a fairly large (16 electoral college votes in 2012) and reliably red state, it wouldn't be worth the risk.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhere in the Constitution does it say this? There is nothing either in the Constitution or in the law to prevent two people from the same state from running. That is party preference and standard practice to appeal to the most voters.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Constitution doesn't forbid it, but it complicates it. Its not worth the risk in a close election, and every election is potentially close.
Amendment 12:
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves;
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's a resident of McLean, VA.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWho cares? The current occupant of the White House is Kenyan....Didn't seem to stop him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe 12th states that an elector can not cast a vote for President and a vote for Vice President if both candidates are from the same state as the elector. An elector from Texas can vote for two candidates from Georgia, but an elector from Georgia can not vote for two candidates from Georgia. He could vote for 1 from Georgia and 1 from Texas. No where does it say that the Pres and Vice Pres who hail from the same state can not be elected into office.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe 12th states that an elector can not cast a vote for President and a vote for Vice President if both candidates are from the same state as the elector. An elector from Texas can vote for two candidates from Georgia, but an elector from Georgia can not vote for two candidates from Georgia. He could vote for 1 from Georgia and 1 from Texas. No where does it say that the Pres and Vice Pres who hail from the same state can not be elected into office.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCain's definitely the underdog, but that can work to his advantage. Can't wait!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI hope they run together. Two intelligent and mature people..
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI hope so. Some sanity in the mix!
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