In fairness, Thompson had not agreed to this debate; he had been branded a “no-show” by the Hanks group because he had avoided all debates except two, very late in the campaign. Hanks and the Libertarian, Mike Rodrigues, were exciting, articulate and humorous.
It had taken months for Hanks to get Thompson to agree to appear at two debates, both in very liberal territory. For ages Thompson has been relying on rigged telephone “town hall meetings” with no hard questions and no follow up. Back when he would personally appear, he responded with goofy answers. Example: Question – “What will you do about illegal immigration?” Answer: “We must make Mexico rich so they won’t want to come.”
When George Bush tried to repair Social Security, Thompson came here to speak in opposition. The Record-Bee requested a rebuttal to his positions. Thompson stood for a minute or so and said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” A woman then spoke. No questions for Thompson. How does one rebut that?
His only public debate with an audience was in Woodland on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Woodland Community Center and I was surprised that he didn’t dodge it.
Thompson is kept in office mostly by extreme liberals out on the coast and he knows where his political bread is buttered. After last census his district was expanded to include a block of super liberals down in Yolo – the idea being that he could safely vote as leftists pleased. Businessmen here would be horrified to learn they have supported a congressman who voted 98 percent with Pelosi.
But this time he is running scared. “Pelosi’s Puppet” signs are appearing in Thompson’s district, and Obama’s and Pelosi’s chickens are coming home to roost. Furthermore, Air Force Major Loren Hanks is a very credible challenger.
Penny Lunt lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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