It’s Time To Debate
So you want “four more years” Governor? Well, it’s time to come in front of the people and tell them why you deserve another term.
Crucians In Focus is joining the voices who are calling for a series of debates between incumbent Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., and the Democratic team that has mounted the most visible public opposition.
This election season is special – for the first time, a sitting Democratic governor is being challenged for re-election from within the Democratic party – so the debates need to happen before the September 11 primary.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg
Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr.
Governor, it’s time to come down from the mountain and speak without the protection of a carefully staged news conference and a controlled script. It’s time to speak directly to the people who elected you nearly four years ago and are entitled to an explanation for the vast disparity between what you promised and what you’ve done.
Of the declared Democratic challengers.  candidates Senator Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg and Samuel Baptiste have issued a formal debate challenge to de Jongh and Lt. Governor Gregory Francis.Â
“We want to debate them before the primary,” Donastorg said. “They must be accountable to the people and a public forum presents the best opportunity. I am very eager to discuss crime, property taxes, environmental protection, corruption and numerous other issues important to the people of our Territory.”Â
Lt. Governor Candidate Sam Baptiste
Lt. Governor Gregory Francis
The Donastorg/Baptiste team has requested debates be held immediately after officially announcing their candidacy. The team has requested that three forums be scheduled, with at least one focusing on the candidates for Lt. Governor.Â
In a world where logic prevails, the natural sponsor for these debates would be the Democratic Party itself. We don’t have high hopes for that outcome, however, if we are to believe the party supports the comments of State Party Chairman Tito Morales who said in May that “no good Democrat” would challenge the incumbent for the highest elected position in the Territory. (see “A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words, link below)
The Donastorg/Baptiste team has sent letters to past hosts of local debates to include the Virgin Islands Democratic Party, the St. Thomas and St. Croix Chambers of Commerce, the League of Women Voters and the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association.Â
“We are asking one or more of these groups to take on the task of hosting a debate,” Donastorg said. “The Democratic Party should step up first given that it is our primary, however we are happy to work with any organization willing to take this on and we stand ready to assist in the planning if necessary.”Â
Baptiste, who is already taking a more visible role than past candidates for the Lt. Governor role, reiterated his team’s desire to participate in debates during his radio broadcasts earlier this week.
“The people are entitled to the opportunity to hear from their candidates directly and without any filters,” Baptiste said. “If you truly believe you are entitled to reelection then come forward and defend your policies and promote your platform. Will you, Governor de Jongh and, will you, Lt. Governor Francis, accept this challenge?”Â
Donastorg said that no Virgin Islander should consider casting a vote for a candidate unwilling to present his or her ideas in a public forum.
CIF agrees and asks:
“Governor – what are you waiting for?”
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Obama and John McCain released their medical records and tax income information, so why can’t we ask the same of our Gubernatorial candidates? What is so wrong in doing so?
I stand corrected. I believe that ALL candidates should release their medical and financial information for the voting public to see. However, we must not allow this type of information to become so politicized that we lose sight of the real issues. What will candidates go better than we is being done right now? What will each person do to reach to those problem children, especially the young men? How will they address the property tax situation?
Please hold your breath Herb, that the GOP will sweep in November.
I will talk to Steele about the complaint that was filed. He might be asking you by that time why you are blogging in support of a Democratic governor that the US AG said “improperly” removed tax payer money to fix up his private home. A rose by any other name is still a rose. Improper removal of money is a synonym for theft.
I agree that having republican friends is good, except they don’t seem to think highly of us. Trent Lott referred to the Puerto Ricans as “those people” when he scoffed at the idea of Puerto Rico joining the Union.
Who knows? Maybe the Republicans and the Tea Party will get into a circular firing squad and finish each other off before November and we’ll have 80 senators, 40 governors and 300 reps. Tally ho!
Step up to the plate John. Debate now. Because debates will win elections. Retro checks won’t. We will cash it because it was already earned, not because you gave it days before the election with money that our children will have to pay back.
1) What use are medical records? Some of our greatest Presidents may not have been considered had their health condition been made public. Kennedy suffered from chronic pain and was on multiple meds; FDR had polio. Everyone knows that in our community, medical records would just be used for the gossip factor.
2) Could someone post the details on the upcoming debates? I didn’t catch all of it on Jamila’s show. Thanks.
I need a list of trigger words to avoid.
…..well,you know Hitler is one of them,right?
Cecil Benjamin is trying to undermine the debate that Jamillah had the courage to organize that is why he should not be at the head of the democratic party
Humpty Dumpty Democrat sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty Democrat had a great fall,
All the King’s horse and all the King’s men,
Could not put Humpty Dumpty together again!
Here a simple nursery rhyme says it all but the Democrats in a circular firing squad today could care less.
Herb,
You are so right!
A circular-firing squad, orchestrated by your friend, Mario or should I say your nemesis.
I am glad Mario made it clear it was lightning this time. For in the past every technical problem on 1620 was blamed on me by Mario as the “Schoenbohm effect.” I am glad he did not confuse me with the Greek God Zeuss. I just don’t control lightning….yet.
Herb @9:15 your blogs shown sentiments unbecoming of the state Chair of the GOP. To associate a democratic radio host with Hitler suggests that you are fixated with the FĂĽhrer.
No fixation at all Vegan just the point that propaganda is propaganda and the use of broadcast radio whether it is Mango Jones (Ron delugo) or Mario to stir up resentment against groups or classes of people as the victims of the oppressor is a technique which the later employs on 1620. The message is and has been for a long time that Governor deJongh is the causation “you know” of all misery and that by changing the jockey “you know” things will be betta “you know.” He says “you know” often ten times a minute during his rants when in fact you *don’t* know. Please ask him why he says “you know” so ofter when in fact you don’t know. This is either a clever rhetorical device or propaganda tool or a speech affliction. Mario is a good public speaker. His pro-alpine energy speech at Gertrude’s was one of his best and convincing deliveries. But with a radio program to send out “the word” something happens. I sort of think he very well knows what he is doing But I could be wrong.
Herb are you sure you’re not the one praticing mind control. Wasn’t it the German Nazi doctors who perfected subliminal messaging? You are de Jongh’s crooked, annoying, Republican supporter. And while so many of us dislike you, I on the on the other hand, find your senile ramblings, pathetic strategy and unconvincing plea for 4 more years for de Jongh, pure comic relief. Keep me laughing Herb, keep me laughing.
Herb, why are you angry at Mario for using the same techniques as your people have used for centuries to affect and sway the minds of Black people. A little “do as I say and not as I do”. We are no longer children. Information sources such as Mario’s program enlightens and informs his listeners from a black perspective. Whites have never been comfortable with the education of people of color. Having pride in ones blackness has been labeled as reverse discrimination while whites have thousands of organizations that represent and laud their white roots. Stop the double standards Herb.
I was so happy that race baiting was gone from this blog for weeks and I will not be the one rise to your bait. So let us, at least for now, get back to discussion of the crucial political issues. Let me leave you with this axiom: Truth needs doesn’t need techniques. Truth stands proud without gimmicks, deception, and trickery.
~Donastorg/Baptiste For 2010!!~
So if ‘truth stands proud without gimmicks,deception and trickery’,why
is it,Herb,you habitually employ them in your many discourses on most
every issue debated on this forum?
Truth stands alone. Lies depend on more lies in order to continue the deception.
@Soldier Crab….how about an example?