I love this. The release:

“I am aware of your comments on Fox News that you would like to participate in a series of Lincoln Douglas-styled debates. I would like to officially accept your offer,” wrote Huckabee in a September 7, 2007 letter to Senator Thompson"

With would be a lot of fun. Huckabee invoked Newt too:

“I share your view of the debates and agree that Newt’s ‘Nine Nineties in Nine’ concept is a far better way to make sure America’s next President has the character and capacity to lead our nation forward, that’s why I have already signed that pledge. I agree that what is needed is a real discussion by the candidates about their vision for the future of our country,” wrote Huckabee.

I hope they do this. Full release after the jump.

Mike Huckabee to Fred Thompson: “Let’s Debate”
 
Manchester, NH – Former AR Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee challenged former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson to a comprehensive, one-on-one, Lincoln Douglas-styled debate, beginning in New Hampshire.
 
“I am aware of your comments on Fox News that you would like to participate in a series of Lincoln Douglas-styled debates. I would like to officially accept your offer,” wrote Huckabee in a September 7, 2007 letter to Senator Thompson.
 
Huckabee said what is needed is a “real discussion by the candidates about their vision for the future of our country.”  He said he contacted Thompson following the former Senator’s appearance last night on Fox News Channel’s Hannity and Colmes program.  During that interview, Thompson expressed his preference of a series of Lincoln Douglas styled debates in which two candidates would debate a single issue for an hour or an hour and a half.  
 
“I share your view of the debates and agree that Newt’s ‘Nine Nineties in Nine’ concept is a far better way to make sure America’s next President has the character and capacity to lead our nation forward, that’s why I have already signed that pledge.  I agree that what is needed is a real discussion by the candidates about their vision for the future of our country,” wrote Huckabee. 
Huckabee said an in-depth format on topics such as health care, education, energy independence, terrorism and national security would benefit the American public. “At the end of these debates, the American people will know each candidate far greater and would able to choose which candidate possesses the depth of knowledge on the issues and has the character and capacity to lead or great nation. More importantly, the American people would be able to rely on a true conversation on the issues, instead of just 30-second ads and soundbites to decide which candidate has the right vision for America’s future,” wrote Huckabee.
 
“Senator, let’s lead by example and get the ball rolling,” he wrote.

Soren Dayton

Soren Dayton is an advocacy professional in Washington, DC who has worked in policy, politics, and in human rights, including in India. Soren grew up in Chicago.

3 Comments

Leighsah · September 8, 2007 at 5:56 AM

This is such a great idea. I’d love a meaningful debate that isn’t sound bites. I want to hear the whole idea, how proposals are funded, specifics. I don’t want to hear a child’s production snowman complain about global warming.

By all means Fred, you put the invitation out there, Governor Huckabee has accepted, now where is the debate?

Mere Orthodoxy » Huckabee Versus Thompson · September 8, 2007 at 1:08 PM

[…] Apparently, Mike Huckabee has challenged Fred Thompson to a debate. […]

eyeon08.com » Thompson turns down 1-on-1 debate · September 11, 2007 at 10:49 AM

[…] Thompson turns down 1-on-1 debate digg_url = ‘http://www.eyeon08.com/2007/09/11/thompson-turns-down-1-on-1-debate/’; digg_title = ‘Thompson turns down 1-on-1 debate’; digg_bodytext = ‘Hotline has the story. Apparently Fred Thompson turned down Mike Huckabee’s invitation to debate. While I understand why Thompson wouldn’t want to do this, doesn’t this play into the narrative that he isn’t engaging in real campaigning? Especially with New Hampshire groups offering to host the debate? Tags: Debate, Fred Thompson, Huckabee’; digg_skin = “compact”; digg_topic = “politics”; ( function() { var ds=typeof digg_skin==’string’?digg_skin:”; var h=80; var w=52; if(ds==’compact’) { h=18; w=120; } var u=typeof digg_url==’string’?digg_url:(typeof DIGG_URL==’string’?DIGG_URL:window.location.href); document.write(“”); } )() Hotline has the story. Apparently Fred Thompson turned down Mike Huckabee’s invitation to debate. […]

Comments are closed.