Campaign to Debate begins

I sent emails to people who have emailed me asking them to contact the Duluth News Tribune to lobby for my inclusion in the debate.

The Trib’s editor sent me an email asking why I hadn’t told these people that the paper had just invited me (belatedly) to send them an essay explaining why voters should vote for me and complaining because I used the word “crazies” to describe the really minor candidates who would clamor to be included if the Trib included me.

Here’s the Editor’s email to me:

Harry,

Your email campaign ascribes a motive to our decision that I did not state. “All sorts of crazies” are your words, not mine. It would be good of you to represent this appropriately and accurately.

Also, is there any reason you are not telling your supporters that we have invited you to an editorial board meeting and offered you commentary space?

Thanks,
Robin

and this is my reply:

Hello Robin.

I didn’t quote you. Yes “crazies” is my terminology but the idea was clearly that you didn’t want to waste the viewers precious time by diluting the debate time of the serious candidates with that of the frivolous (non tenable) candidates.

I did warn you that I would be lobbying to be included in the debate. Of course, there is always the danger that I’ll simply stiffen your resolve to exclude me. If that happens it won’t be because I didn’t try to marshal rational reasons for you to rethink the criteria for inclusion. If you decide to keep me excluded because you don’t like being pushed around I will have failed. I request that you consult your intellect as well as your emotions as you consider the merits of my campaign.

I have told a few people by word of mouth of your generous offer to include me in the essays. Upon reflection it would have been fairer of me to mention this in my email but I didn’t. I’m in a hurry and people who are in a hurry don’t always dot every i. I’m sorry for that. I’m sure that in your return email you are pointing out these mitigating circumstances which are to your credit.

I believe that you have the discretion to choose suitable guests for your debate and that the arbitrary decision to stick with major party candidates was arrived at far too casually. That is the case I’m making. Since my name is probably almost as well know as Rod Grams by Duluthians I think my friends would be inclined to agree. I’m delighted if they are sticking up for me. I’m sure that the vast number of people you talk to in Duluth are aware of me and have an opinion about me even if it is news to them that I’m a candidate for Congress this year. I’ve put all my eggs in the Internet basket and time will tell whether I will rue that decision.

Know that my campaign to be included is not personal. Its purely political and practical. I hope the people contacting you are offering rational arguments for my inclusion. If you want evidence of whether I can get things done in Congress this is just a little taste of it. I haven’t tried very hard to have people contact you yet. I’m busy after all. Paul Harvey has talked about my school board work and my snow sculptures have been AP fodder all across the US.

Thank you again for giving me a place on the page. Now if I can just get behind the podium I will be a happy camper and the voters will be just that much more informed about their options.

Best regards,
Harry

PS. Did you enjoy the symphony?