HEARNES REJECTS DEBATE WITH KINDER

One day after a joint appearance at a Missouri State Teachers Association candidates forum, Republican state senatorial candidate Peter Kinder re-issued a challenge to his Democratic opponent to participate in a series of debates.

In a letter Tuesday to Betty Hearnes of Charleston, Kinder reminded Hearnes that he had sent a letter to the three Democratic candidates the day before the primary challenging the winner to a debate in each of the six counties of the 27th district.

Kinder said he had not yet received any answer from Hearnes 51 days after the challenge was issued.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Hearnes rejected the debate challenge.

Hearnes said joint appearances, like the one Monday in Jackson before the MSTA and in August at the Scott County Farm Bureau meeting, were appropriate ways to outline differences in the candidates. She noted that other joint appearances also are scheduled.

"We have had two joint appearances, which were in effect debates, and he lost both of them," Hearnes said.

"He wants more joint appearances for two reasons: One, he's behind in this election; Two, he's a person who doesn't want to shake hands and meet the people, and this is a way to get publicity without having to meet the people."

Kinder responded late Tuesday that Hearnes' "excuse for not debating is pathetic."

He disputed her claim that she won the first two appearances, inviting any number of people who witnessed the first two speeches to decide for themselves.

"She is ducking full and open discussion of the issues and anyone can see why," he said. "She has not done more personal campaigning in this campaign than I have and for her to imply otherwise is misleading."

Hearnes maintained that the time required to prepare for debates would take her away from the type of personal campaigning that enabled her to win the primary election.

"I'm a Harry Truman-type campaigner and I will continue to campaign that way," said Hearnes.

Kinder encouraged third parties to come forward to sponsor a debate. He said the League of Women Voters, independent news media, and the political science club at Southeast Missouri State University often sponsor these kinds of debates.

"I urge any of them to do this, and I will make myself available," he said. "If the independent third parties don't come and offer these forums, she may be able to skate by and that's obviously her plan. We'll see if that satisfies the voters."

Hearnes said she sees a difference between Bill Clinton's call for a debate on the national level and this call at the district level.

"This is a much smaller area; debates are just a lazy way to campaign," she said. "I like to meet the people and campaign and that takes time. I won the primary on my feet and this's how I intend to do this."

But Kinder contends a debate format is the best way to show voters differences between the two candidates.

"It was proven last evening that a full and open discussion of the issues facing the voters of Missouri's 27th senatorial district is both needed and wanted," said Kinder. "I realize the benefit to educators at last evening's forum to discuss the important issues facing our children's educational future."

Kinder said that since 1976, the district has been well represented in Jefferson City. But with the incumbent, Sen. John Dennis, retiring, "the voters are offered two very different candidates with two very different backgrounds and ideas on the direction and leadership needed in the state capital.

"The voters have and deserve the right to hear for themselves the candidates' vision of leadership so that each and every voter may cast an informed vote on election day," he said.

Kinder added, "In the long-standing history of America's democratic political process, the debate forum has served as a healthy opportunity for all voters to hear a full discussion of issues facing them. I have called on my opponent to give voters of this district that opportunity, and to this date, she has said no to the people's right to be informed."