Story County GOP Invites King, Vilsack to Debate

Story County Republicans said they are willing to host a debate between Iowa Congressman Steve King, R-Kiron, and Christie Vilsack, who are in a battle for Iowa's 4^th District.

Both King and Vilsack said they hoped to debate in Ames Sept. 22, but a debate hosted by the Ames Tribune, the Ames Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of Ames and of Iowa, and the Iowa State University Committee on Lectures was canceled when the King campaign couldn't agree to terms,.

The Story County GOP said the debate would be open to the public and that both campaigns could also hand out some tickets prior to the event, according to a press release from the Story County Republicans.

“Both King and Vilsack campaigns have indicated a willingness to discuss the issue without moderators, just as Iowans do everyday at coffee shops and cafes,” Story County GOP Chair Cory Adams said in a prepared statement. “To ensure the debate is nonpartisan, we are inviting the Story County Democrats to co-host the debate. We look forward to an honest, open discussion on the issues.”

The Lincoln-Douglas style debate format allows both candidates a set time to speak with no moderation, a format that's often used in high school debate clubs.

Sam Roecker, Vilsack's communications director, said Thursday that Vilsack agreed to the style as a concession in for the earlier proposed debate, but wanted some moderated discussion so that people could question the candidates and hold them accountable.

Roecker hadn't heard of the invitation according to an email message he sent out on Friday.

"This is just more political games from the King campaign. I don't know why he's unwilling to take part in a debate with fair, non-partisan moderators that is open to the public," he wrote.

King's campaign has already accepted the debate invitation, said Jimmy Centers, King's spokesman.

Centers said the Ames debate, without a television or radio sponsor, presented the best opportunity for the Lincoln-Douglas style debate and said eight other debates would have moderators. He said the candidates could hold each other accountable through questioning.

Story County GOP said that candidates would be given a 90 minute time limit, and each candidate would be given a chair, blank notepad, writing utensil and water.

A coin flip would determine which candidate goes first and terms surrounding the open discussion are negotiable the invitation states.

Both candidates have been given until Aug. 30 to respond.

Roecker said in the email that, "The Republican Party of Story County is not a replacement for the League of Women Voters, ISU, The Ames Tribune, and the Chamber of Commerce."