Finally, there have been some dates released for the much anticipated debates between Democrat incumbent 
Congressman Joe Garcia and Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos “Crybaby” Curbelo, the Republican nominee who wants to unseat him.
But not one of the public English-language debates scheduled are in Miami-Dade. And Ladra doesn’t really feel like driving two hours to hear them attack each other.
We already missed one, last week at the Key West Chamber of Commerce’s candidates forum. Reports from those there indicate that it was just a live, personal extension of their negative attacks on each other in TV ads and the media.
Tonight, a second debate in Key West, in the lobby of the Tennessee Williams Fine arts Center, starts at 5:30 p.m. It is sponsored by the Hometown PAC, which is a forum that includes other political candidates and was agreed to long ago. Then, next Monday, they will be at the Marathon Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum for yet another Keys face-off.
On October 19, the two candidates in what has been repeatedly called one of the most important races in the country will debate live on TV on WPLG Local 10’s This Week in South Florida. And on Oct. 21,, two weeks before Election Day, they will face off in Spanish at the Univision forum at Miami-Dade College.
Read related story: Joe Garcia opens back to back campaign offices in high drive
But how come if Monroe County represents only 15% of the voters in District 26, three of the five debates are there? And how come the only really public debate in Miami-Dade is in Spanish?
“These debates are important because there’s a clear contrast in this race: whether the issue is protecting Medicare and Social Security for seniors or helping create good paying jobs, Carlos Curbelo has proven time and again that he’s looking out for himself, his paying clients and his Tea Party political allies – while I am proud of my commitment to putting South Florida first,” Garcia said, in yet another one of those self -serving statements.
“And while Curbelo would love to make this election about interests of the out-of-state billionaires who are propping him, these debates will offer an opportunity to discuss the issues that really matter to South Floridians.”
Then why aren’t there more of them in the heart of District 26, which runs from 8th Street to the Keys? Why isn’t there one single public English-language debate in Kendall?
I mean, there seemed to have been half a dozen for the Republican primary candidates. Are you telling me there is no chamber of commerce here or that the Kendall Federation of Homeowners is not interested in sponsoring a debate?
Curbelo’s camp has said they want more debates and have been rebuffed by Garcia’s camp but Garcia campaign insiders say there could be another debate added before Election Day.
They better hurry and finalize the details. Absentee ballots hit the street next week.
Debates in Joe Garcia vs Carlos Curbelo race mostly in Keys added by Ladra on
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