Broun has 'retreated from previous position' to avoid debates

Editor:

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Paul Broun is refusing to debate his opponent, Bobby Saxon. A year ago, Broun used primary opponent JimWhitehead's refusal to debate him as a major talking point. Now Broun has done yet another complete flip-flop of his own position and values by refusing to debate - the very act for which he publicly discredited his primary opponent.

I readily understand that Broun would be afraid of having to debate Bobby Saxon. There is good reason. A side-by-side comparison of the two leaves him looking weak. Now he looks not only weak, but also scared. If people meet Saxon, they likely will vote for him. People from either party hear Broun and scratch their heads. Hence, Broun hides.

Just a short time ago, during his first campaign for Congress, Broun was a strong supporter of debate. He openly mocked his opponent for not debating him, even allowing a bobblehead doll to be placed in Whitehead's seat at a debate as a stand-in.

On June 25, 2007, political reporter Blake Aued noted, "Whitehead faced heavy criticism from pundits - including (Tim) Bryant, (Athens) Banner-Herald executive editor Jason Winders, editorial page editor Jim Thompson and Flagpole editor Pete McCommons - for canceling his press club debate appearance."

I'd like to hear comments now that Broun has retreated from his previous position of the importance of open debate in a democracy. Do you have that bobblehead handy?

Chris Young

Danielsville, Ga.