WS Chronicle

By Ken Spaulding Guest Columnist

North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ken Spaulding held a press conference in Durham on Monday, Oct. 26,  during which he made the following

statement:

1. On Oct. 15, I called upon my opponent, Roy Cooper, to debate the issues of this campaign before the people of this state.

2. Today, I have received no word from his campaign that he is willing to debate me.

3. If Roy Cooper is afraid to debate me, then how in the world is he going to stand up to the Republicans and their sitting governor?

4. I wish to share with you just a few additional steps of progress and support for the importance of debates in the Democratic Primary.

5. The Fayetteville Observer has stepped forward and had the courage and fairness to recognize my candidacy and to call for pre-primary debates.

The Indy Weekly has for some time called for the give-and-take between Roy Cooper and me.

6. Now Time Warner Cable, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, have agreed to sponsor a debate that will be carried statewide.

7. Now, it’s time for Roy Cooper to show some degree of respect for the people of this state and agree to stand eye-to-eye and toe-to-toe and debate the issues, which are so important to North Carolina.
8. Roy can run, but he can’t continue to hide. Our party needs strong and new leadership because “business as usual,” and “more of the same” have  all led the Democrats to constant defeats.

9. The establishment of the Democratic Party has handpicked Roy Cooper and they control Roy Cooper, so I call upon the establishment to instruct Roy Cooper to participate in a series of debates.

North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ken Spaulding of Durham is an attorney who is a former legislator and state Board of Transportation member.