Tea Partiers blast Runyan for ducking debates

by: Jason Springer

Wed May 05, 2010 at 12:30:00 PM EDT

Well this is fun. As Jon Runyan brings his pocket constitution to try and woo the tea party vote, not everyone is buying his act. Late yesterday, we got this statement from the Burlington County Tea Party founder Bill Haney:

"Jon Runyan is becoming a joke around the District," said Bill Haney, founder of the Burlington County Tea Party. "Runyan has been offered, what?...four or five opportunities to debate Murphy and to prove that he is the better candidate and he keeps saying he is busy?! That's a load of chicken....manure.

But they were far from done. Apparently Runyan informed the Veterans for Education group that he would not participate in the debate they were proposing, but didn't bother to call. He had his campaign manager send an email saying he respectfully declined to participate:

"First of all, that is a slap in the face of all veterans. You don't send an email! That is really bush league. Secondly, you don't respectfully decline...that is not a reason, that's an excuse and a lame one at that," said Haney. He went on to say that the Runyan campaign is ducking the debate because their candidate would expose his weaknesses which in Haney's words "are legendary...Runyan couldn't tell you the difference between the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and taxi cab."

And it wasn't just Runyan who was the object of their attacks. They said the Republican party in all three counties should be ashamed of themselves:

"they found a guy who can spend his own money and they convinced him that he was smart enough to be a Congressman. I feel sorry for Jon because Adler will make a fool out of him if he gets past the primary. The party bosses should be taken outside and have the snot kicked out of them. Maybe Runyan will do that after he loses the primary."

Can I just say that I love Republican primaries. Primaries in general are entertaining, but the right side really knows how to put on a show. Below the fold, I'll put a list of debates and opportunities that Runyan has declined.

Jason Springer :: Tea Partiers blast Runyan for ducking debates

Jon Runyan declines 2010 Primary election debates

March 12, Ocean County Citizens for Freedom, Candidate screening
-Runyan declined

April 7, Ocean County Citizens for Freedom, Grand Finale screening
-Runyan Declined

May 7, Ocean County Citizens for Freedom, Murphy/Runyan debate
-Runyan declined

May 11, WOBM, Tom Mongelli Radio debate between Murphy/Runyan
-Runyan declined

May 10-14 (left open for Mr. Runyan) Veterans for Education, Bill Brown
-Runyan declined

May 17, North Jersey Tea Party groups, Burlington Co Tea Party, Ocean County Citizens for Freedom, WOBM, Candidate debate
-Runyan declined

May 25, Ocean County Tea Party, Steve Jeffries, Candidate screening
-Runyan scheduled as of 5/3

June 1st- Debate Murphy/Runyan- Runyan Declined

Added Notes

March 20th - Runyan attended 9-12/BCTP Vetting - straw poll, Murphy won all but 5 votes. (this put an end to going to head with Murphy)

We The People Republicans, Camden County group has asked Runyans people if he would speak to them and were told no.

Tags: nj-3, NJ3, jon runyan, Justin Murphy, Burlington County GOP, Burlco GOP, Ocean County GOP, John Adler, tea party, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Tea Partiers blast Runyan for ducking debates | 2 comments

I love GOP primaries too (0.00 / 0)

Dave Larsen, an admitted tax deadbeat who "pledged" $300,000 of his own money to take down Len Lance, is going nowhere fast despite his TNut pedigree.

TNut-endorsed Anna Little has little fight left in her against RINO favorite Diane Gooch for Frank Pallones seat. She had to take back a recent "endorsement" from Rush Limbaugh because it came from a fan website which she carelessly mistook as his own.

Alan Bateman has a real advantage over Chris Smith; he's endorsed by Steve Lonegan. That should get him at least half a dozen votes for sure.

TNut-endorsed Mike Halfacre is gone, but not Dave Corsi who has become the favorite of those who can't reconcile themselves to Scott Sipprelle donating 5% of his political contributions to Democrats.

Justin Murphy is the only one with a legitimate shot. I don't blame Runyan for not debating him any more than I would for not going into a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. The irony is that based on experience and knowledge of the issues Murphy is better qualified. And the latest Van Pelt/Gilmore revelations should help Murphy who is running on the TROOC line in Ocean County. This will be a very low turnout primary, so the TROOC candidates and Murphy should benefit. The TNuts who feel dissed by Runyan may be few in number, but in a low turnout primary they could have a significant impact.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

by: ken bank @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 22:35:56 PM UTC

Effect on Adler (0.00 / 0)

As a follow-up the TNut disaffection with Runyan should help Adler in the general election. Assuming turnout will be relatively low this November the TNuts can express their resentment at Runyan by simply staying home.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

by: ken bank @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 22:40:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]