So it turns out that contrary to prior reports, Rep. John Culberson is willing to participate in a debate. He’s just not willing to participate in a debate that involves his opponent, Jim Henley. The following is an email from Culberson’s office:
The Houston Club presents Congressman John Culberson (District Seven) U.S. House of Representatives and Charles C. Foster, President of Tindall & Foster, P.C. debate immigration issues so important to our city, region, and nation: The Rio Grande Great Wall; Guest Workers; Amnesty; Stiffer Criminal Penalties on Illegals and Employers; Do Nothing.
The non-members and the general public are invited to the luncheon and debate on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. $37.00 Reservations: 713-229-2215.
[…]
Mr. Foster heads the Immigration Law Section of his firm, has served as a principal advisor to President George W. Bush on U. S. immigration policy and is past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The views of the nationally respected attorney differ sharply from those of Congressman Culberson.
Monday, October 2, 2006 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
The Houston Club
811 Rusk St. Tenth Floor – Texas Room
Luncheon Tickets: $37.00Reservations: 713-229-2215
So, to recap: Culberson WILL debate if his opponent in the debate is not his opponent on the ballot, and if it costs money to get in the door. Culberson WILL NOT debate if his opponent in the debate is his opponent on the ballot, and the event is free to attend. Got that?
Sadly, I will not be able to make this event. But I will be glad to purchase an adult beverage of your choosing to anyone who does attend and manages to ask Rep. Culberson why this is an acceptable forum for him to debate but Rice University against Jim Henley is not. Let me know what happens.
It seems like Culberson is going to try and ride immigration the rest of this campaign. He mailed a lot of his supporters telling them to vote for him because if Democrats gain control of the house, Rep. Jackson Lee will be chair of the immigration sub-comittee. And he has a billboard over at 59 and Kirby saying that “Culberson has kept his word on immigration.”
Interesting. A few weeks ago, I got opinion polled on immigration and given the opening questions about Henley and Culberson, I assumed it was commissioned by the Culberson campaign and/or other republicans. I figured that Henley doesn’t have the money to conduct that kind of targeted poll.