This press release is being sent to over 300 media outlets across Massachusetts.
Please forward this to every gun list, every tax cut list, every small government-friendly list and every friend and associate who might be interested.
For release: September 11, 2000
An Open Letter to Senator Ted Kennedy
A Challenge to Debate the Issues
from Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Carla Howell
Dear Senator Kennedy,
Your staff and the Greater Boston News Media say you're too busy
to campaign for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. Until October.
After all, you are a 38-year Senior U.S. Senator. You have bills to
pass. Regulations to put into law. Senate votes to influence.
Senator John McCain faced the same challenges you do. Yet he
found time to vigorously campaign for the Presidency across New
England, then the rest of America. Senator John McCain had time
to meet voters retail. To attend town forums. To debate his
opponents. He debated the other candidates 18 times.
In 1980, when you launched your campaign for the
Presidency, against sitting Democrat President Jimmy Carter, you
made time to campaign. You campaigned retail in New England,
then across America. You went to town meetings. And you did
debate.
Your brother John never ducked a debate. He viewed it as a public
responsibility. In 1962, when President John F. Kennedy was
asked how he felt about the 1964 Presidential election, he said he
looked forward to debating Senator Barry Goldwater.
President John F. Kennedy eagerly anticipated debating the
fundamental differences between his New Frontier Liberalism and
Barry Goldwater's Western Conservatism.
Your brother John knew that debates were good for America. He
was a man of courage.
Your brother Robert never ducked a debate. Against tremendous
odds, he launched a campaign for the Presidency in 1968. He did
it to stop the No-Win, Morally Wrong War in Vietnam. He debated
Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. He debated Senator Eugene
McCarthy. He looked forward to being nominated for the
Presidency and debating President Richard Nixon.
Your brother Robert knew that debates were good for America. He
was a man of courage.
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of Senator John
McCain?
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of President John F.
Kennedy?
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of Senator Robert
Kennedy?
I'm Carla Howell, the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate seat
you currently hold. The voters and citizens of Massachusetts have
made my campaign the best-funded, most widely supported Third
Party Grass Roots campaign in America.
Bigger than Jesse Ventura's 1998 campaign in Minnesota.
Is this why you won't face me? The chance of a Jesse Ventura
upset here in Massachusetts?
Some reporters and political insiders say that you're not
campaigning because you don't have to. Why take a chance?
Why give Bay Staters a chance of electing a "Rocky" or a Jesse
Ventura? Why not play it safe? Pretend you're above it all. Act
like you're going for a coronation, rather than running to represent
the people.
Other reporters and political insiders say you don't have a fire in
your belly. After 38 years, you're worn out, your skills are stale,
and you just don't have what it takes.
Senator Kennedy, I don't believe these charges. I think you're
getting bad advice from people who don't want you to do the right
thing.
Senator Kennedy, let's debate the issues. Health Care.
Gun Control VS. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms. War on
Drugs. Social Security. You and I are diametrically opposed on
these issues and the fundamental issues facing America.
This is the kind of debate that your brother John wanted to have
against Barry Goldwater. They can't have this debate. But you
and I can. A debate of ideas. A debate for Massachusetts voters.
A debate that could ignite more interest in politics in this state. A
debate that could answer Harvard University's "Vanishing Voter
Project" by involving more voters.
Senator Kennedy, I propose that the Boston Globe, the Boston
Herald, other major newspapers, and the major Massachusetts TV
stations sponsor 3 prime time debates. All 3 major candidates -
Ted Kennedy, Jack Robinson, and Carla Howell - should face the
cameras and face the voters.
I look forward to a spirited debate on the issues.
small government is beautiful,
Carla Howell
Libertarian for U.S. Senate
(Originals sent to Senator Kennedy's offices.)
###
------------------------------
Please forward this to every gun list, every tax cut list, every small government-friendly list and every friend and associate who might be interested.
For release: September 11, 2000
An Open Letter to Senator Ted Kennedy
A Challenge to Debate the Issues
from Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Carla Howell
Dear Senator Kennedy,
Your staff and the Greater Boston News Media say you're too busy
to campaign for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. Until October.
After all, you are a 38-year Senior U.S. Senator. You have bills to
pass. Regulations to put into law. Senate votes to influence.
Senator John McCain faced the same challenges you do. Yet he
found time to vigorously campaign for the Presidency across New
England, then the rest of America. Senator John McCain had time
to meet voters retail. To attend town forums. To debate his
opponents. He debated the other candidates 18 times.
In 1980, when you launched your campaign for the
Presidency, against sitting Democrat President Jimmy Carter, you
made time to campaign. You campaigned retail in New England,
then across America. You went to town meetings. And you did
debate.
Your brother John never ducked a debate. He viewed it as a public
responsibility. In 1962, when President John F. Kennedy was
asked how he felt about the 1964 Presidential election, he said he
looked forward to debating Senator Barry Goldwater.
President John F. Kennedy eagerly anticipated debating the
fundamental differences between his New Frontier Liberalism and
Barry Goldwater's Western Conservatism.
Your brother John knew that debates were good for America. He
was a man of courage.
Your brother Robert never ducked a debate. Against tremendous
odds, he launched a campaign for the Presidency in 1968. He did
it to stop the No-Win, Morally Wrong War in Vietnam. He debated
Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. He debated Senator Eugene
McCarthy. He looked forward to being nominated for the
Presidency and debating President Richard Nixon.
Your brother Robert knew that debates were good for America. He
was a man of courage.
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of Senator John
McCain?
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of President John F.
Kennedy?
Senator Kennedy, can't you rise to the level of Senator Robert
Kennedy?
I'm Carla Howell, the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate seat
you currently hold. The voters and citizens of Massachusetts have
made my campaign the best-funded, most widely supported Third
Party Grass Roots campaign in America.
Bigger than Jesse Ventura's 1998 campaign in Minnesota.
Is this why you won't face me? The chance of a Jesse Ventura
upset here in Massachusetts?
Some reporters and political insiders say that you're not
campaigning because you don't have to. Why take a chance?
Why give Bay Staters a chance of electing a "Rocky" or a Jesse
Ventura? Why not play it safe? Pretend you're above it all. Act
like you're going for a coronation, rather than running to represent
the people.
Other reporters and political insiders say you don't have a fire in
your belly. After 38 years, you're worn out, your skills are stale,
and you just don't have what it takes.
Senator Kennedy, I don't believe these charges. I think you're
getting bad advice from people who don't want you to do the right
thing.
Senator Kennedy, let's debate the issues. Health Care.
Gun Control VS. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms. War on
Drugs. Social Security. You and I are diametrically opposed on
these issues and the fundamental issues facing America.
This is the kind of debate that your brother John wanted to have
against Barry Goldwater. They can't have this debate. But you
and I can. A debate of ideas. A debate for Massachusetts voters.
A debate that could ignite more interest in politics in this state. A
debate that could answer Harvard University's "Vanishing Voter
Project" by involving more voters.
Senator Kennedy, I propose that the Boston Globe, the Boston
Herald, other major newspapers, and the major Massachusetts TV
stations sponsor 3 prime time debates. All 3 major candidates -
Ted Kennedy, Jack Robinson, and Carla Howell - should face the
cameras and face the voters.
I look forward to a spirited debate on the issues.
small government is beautiful,
Carla Howell
Libertarian for U.S. Senate
(Originals sent to Senator Kennedy's offices.)
###
------------------------------
