Listen, I don't blame you if you are lost in the sea of debate letters that have gone back & forth between @TedCruz and @BetoORourke.
Don't worry, I'm here to help!
Here is a rundown of what has happened so far (which will be updated):
Don't worry, I'm here to help!
Here is a rundown of what has happened so far (which will be updated):
@tedcruz @BetoORourke 1: In April, O'Rourke's campaign manager wrote a letter to Cruz's team, challenging the senator to six debates, including two in Spanish. elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol… (Read @PatrickSvitek on that)
2: For months, Cruz's campaign did not answer the letter. At the same time, Cruz said at several public appearances that he was certain he would debate O'Rourke (but he couldn't do so in Spanish). elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol…
3: In July, it was Cruz's turn to send a letter. He challenged O'Rourke to five debates, each scheduled for a Friday night in a different Texas city (Dallas, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston & Lubbock) with specific topics. elpasotimes.com/story/news/201…
4: O'Rourke's team agreed to the debates, with some caveats: He wanted to move them closer to October, move some to weeknights & let audience members ask questions on any subject. He also wanted a debate in El Paso. elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol…
5: Cruz's team was quick to write back, saying "our debate plan isn't an open negotiation." They told O'Rourke he could pick one of the 5 proposed debates to move to his hometown of El Paso, but his other suggestions wouldn't be considered.
6: On Aug. 14, Cruz wrote to O'Rourke's campaign to say that he had accepted an offer from NBC 5/KXAS to host the proposed Aug. 31 debate in Dallas.
7: O'Rourke's team said they hadn't agreed to any such debate & they wanted to coordinate directly w Cruz's campaign on specifics (rather than thru letters sent to the press). O'Rourke's spox said repeated phone calls to Cruz's team were unanswered. elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol…
8: On Aug. 15, O'Rourke's team responded, reiterating their desire to discuss/plan debates together. They wrote: "It’s not in our fellow Texans’ interests to have all the terms of the debate dictated by one side." elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol…
9: Within an hour, Cruz's team wrote back and said that they actually HAD tried to contact O'Rourke's team: "For whatever reason, it sure seems like Congressman O'Rourke doesn't want to debate Senator Cruz."
10: During interview at Texas Disability Issues Forum in ATX, O'Rourke says Cruz's next proposed debate (Aug 31. in Dallas) "won't happen." He says Cruz's camp wants to dictate subject, furniture, date, etc of all debates, but O'Rourke's team wants to collaborate on negotiations.
10(a): Quick correction, the "won't happen" was not direct quote. Here is O'Rourke's full quote when asked abt Friday debate: “Friday in Dallas is not going to happen, but I’m convinced we will debate."
10(b): Here’s @elpasotimes on the most recent developments elpasotimes.com/story/news/pol…
