Jackson Free Press

[verbatim statement] JACKSON (Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006) — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Erik Fleming delivered a formal request to Republican incumbent Trent Lott today challenging the longtime senator to a debate. Fleming's action came one day after the state representative from Clinton publicly requested a debate with Lott before the November general election. The Associated Press reports that Lott's spokesman Lee Youngblood said Lott never received a formal request.

To ensure Lott received the request, Fleming did the following: He hand-delivered a copy of his letter to Lott's downtown Jackson office; faxed and e-mailed a copy to Lott's Jackson and Washington, D.C., offices; and sent a copy overnight to Lott in Washington.
Now, Fleming said, the fate of a debate in the Senate race is firmly up to Lott — who hasn't debated anyone for office since he first ran for and won the U.S. Senate seat in a 1988 election.

Much has changed in Mississippi, the United States and the world since 1988, Fleming said, And that makes it even more critical he and Lott debate the issues fully so voters can make an educated choice.

No excuses are valid for avoiding a debate, Fleming said, including that Lott is too busy to participate in a debate, that he doesn't have time, that he is too busy campaigning or that it's too late in the campaign.

In fact, Fleming said, now is the best time for a debate because history shows that voters start to follow elections about a month out from Election Day.

"Sen. Lott shouldn't be afraid to defend his record and the Republican Party's record in Washington," Fleming said. "Voters deserve a fair discussion of the issues and a firm understanding how I and the Democrats will help the country and state move forward."
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