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?”
CHILDREN JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS!
DO NOT GROW UP TO BE LIKE THIS MAN. THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN DRUGS AND CRUELTY!
THIS MAN IS CLEARLY IN NO CONDITION TO DEBATE ANYONE BUT HIMSELF.
JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dejonghfrancis/4837134317/#/photos/dejonghfrancis/4837134317/lightbox/
That’s Funny!!!
I hope Senator is online looking at these picture now! He can use these for his campaign ads!
What would the Campaign Ad say? Here’s a hint: My beloved Virgin Islanders, take a look at the drug addicts, alcoholics, greedy, immoral, domestically abused, power hungry, rich, selfish uncaring individuals that run our Territory. Now close your eyes and pretend they have all disappeared. Now open up your eyes, damn! They are still there. But don’t worry by Voting NO to John de Jongh we can make all the monsters disappear for good!
Looked through the pics and except for the governor and his wife there wasn’t a single person The Crab recognozed.Nonetheless,all seemed to have been having a wonderful time ‘wolfing’ down (all pun intended) free food and drinks.
Don’t know if it’s my imagination or what,but the governor appeared to have difficulty making eye contact with those he greeted and or/with whom he posed for pics.His eyes were all over the place.Seldom
on the subject at hand.
well, either no one on dejongh’s team has any sense for overseeing, OR, someone on dejongh’s team has a real good sense of humor!
LARD THANK YO! DONASTORG/BAPTISTE GETTING READY TO KNOCK DE JONGH OUT!
LIGHTS OUT!
Why would dejongh people want photos like this to get out, this is so sad.
Anyone who has any association with dejongh is brainless.
No blogging, Herb? Scared that the RNC will find out that you are the #1 supporter and campaign strategizer for an incumbent Democratic governor that the US Inspector General’s office has accused of fraud? That you are here writing blogs against abolitionists in the local struggle for emancipation? That almost hourly during work hours for the government you are on the taxpayers’ computers on the clock trying to get a Democrat reelected? That you have not endorsed the only Republican/Independent in the race that never turned Democrat? Living by one standard here and another in the states like you have a double life?
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we chased Herb off this site and back into his foxhole. Good riddance.
@ Vegan: please, let sleeping dogs lie, anything Herb says is antigonostic.
The local election is heating up and believe me for what it is worth it is going to be a very nasty process. The night of election it is going to require additional staffing in the hospital’s emergency rooms to handle all the cases of pain, diarrhea and heart related problem. Believe is not going to be an ordinary election. I am not surprised given the deterioration of territory’s quality of life and increased acts of violent crimes that ontinue tear our islands apart. The big picture has to change; hence, that challenge has manifested itself most from within the Democrtic Party translating into three democratic gubernatorial teams challenging the incumbent democratic governor. I definately believe that the people of the Virgin Islands need to given an opportunity to hear from each gubernatorial team through a spirited debate on the state of the territoy and how each team endeavor to resolve the challenging issues confronting the territory.
I think Jamilah mentioned Tuesday on 1620 AM that she was planning a forum with the candidates that’s scheduled for August 26th. She was supposed to go more into detail yesterday, but the station was having technical difficulties. I guess she will talk about it tomorrow.
If Donastorg wins the primary and is convicted of a felony then the Democratic Party Officers will pick deJongh to face the general. So it would be in deJongh’s best interest to have his adversaries vote for Donastorg so that he deJongh gets another shot just incase he doesn’t win the primary outright.
If you don’t want deJongh think long and hard befor you vote for deJongh. Or vote fir Donastorg I love Foncie but I wish he would sit this one out until this issue is resolved.
Strategy PLS…..deJongh does not want FOncie to win .. Thats low of you to say .Donastorg will be sworn in in January . … Do keep those no sense comments to yourself.
Vegan,
The IG has not accused the Governor of anything as that is not his mission. He issues a report and this case it was, like reports of past administrations, critical of the current administration. No where in the report is there an accusation of “fraud”, period.
No as far as my tenure as RNC State Chairman is concerned: RNC Chairman Michael Steele will be in the VI (both STX and STT) on Saturday August 21, 2010 where you can meet him and express your concerns about the local GOP if you wish. I have personally invited former VI GOP leader Sam Baptiste as well as asked our National Committeewoman Senator Belardo to invited former GOP Lt. Governor Ken Mapp. Lilliana is on Chairman Steele’s Executive Committee and a big support of Ken Mapp. I have *not* invited Governor deJongh but hope the host committee in St. Thomas will arrange something that includes the governor.
Remember the GOP will most likely sweep Congress in November and having Republican friends will certainly benefit the Virgin Islands. no matter who becomes governor the GOP connection is important.
We find it rather strange when one of Luz supporters get on the radio and provide some comments similar to what is posted on this website regarding liking Donastorg but thinking he should sit this one out, then a Mapp supporter following with the same thing. What I do however believe is that both men happen to be suffering from major illnesses and could possibly not making to the General Election. Lets ask all the candidates for their medical record.Obama did it so why can’t we ask our elected officials to do the same in the Virgin Islands.
Is this what this political has come to? Are we willing to public a candidate’s physical condition in order to win? Whatever happenned to just campaigning on the issues of the day?
I see why our leaders are so corrupt now. Especially if its people like in this forum actually responsible for picking our politicians.
I feel we need to follow the Presidential elections. The candidates should release their income tax information and their medicals records. The public has a right to know. If the Governor is no longer able to perform his duties then it’s the LT Governor which takes over. Case in point, the great Cerile E King and Juan Louis. We were lucky to have an excellent Governor and a great Lt Governor.
We have to have all cards on the table to choose the right team.