Will Bean face the people?

The Walsh Campaign invited Bean to a series of single-issue, town hall style debates, covering a range of topics, including health care reform, jobs and the economy, and immigration and national security. The format of the debates would provide both candidates the opportunity to field questions directly from voters.

In 2002, when Melissa Bean was challenging Rep. Phil Crane, she issued an open letter to Crane’s campaign urging him to debate the issues so the voters could be educated about his voting record. In October of 2002, she wrote:

“So there is no confusion as to my sincere commitment in educating the residents of our district on the issues, I will meet you any day, any time, and anywhere.”

Following her open letter Bean was quoted in a 10/11/02 News Sun article saying the following:

“There are those incumbents who want their records to be known and can stand on their records,” she said. “Crane is not one of them.”He knows his record is out of alignment with the people in his district, and he wants to fly under the radar and not debate me. I say, ‘Come on out Mr. Crane and let’s talk about the issues.’”

Joe Walsh commented on that letter and Bean’s related statements to the press, “It seems that Melissa Bean has ‘gone Washington,’ and she is now employing the same tactics she accused her predecessor of using. She is ducking debates and hiding from her record.”

Walsh formally reissued his debate invitation by saying, “The Eighth District does not support Melissa Bean’s votes for cap-and-trade, the Stimulus, or ObamaCare. Clearly, Melissa is out of touch. She does not want to give me or the rest of her constituents an opportunity to ask about her votes.”

Walsh concluded by saying, “Your constituents and my campaign are waiting to hear from you Congresswoman, I will meet you any day, any time, and anywhere.”