The last time 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean debated an opponent was before Labor Day, 2006.

She has chickened out since then.

Her 2010 Republican candidate is attacking this vulnerable underbelly by challenging her again.

REP. MELISSA BEAN DUCKS AND HIDES

It has been over one month since Joe Walsh, the Republican challenger in the 8th District, issued a debate invitation to Democrat incumbent Melissa Bean. To date, the Bean Campaign still has not provided any response.

The Walsh Campaign invited Bean to a series of single-issue, town hall style debates, covering a range of topics, including health care reform, jobs and the economy, and immigration and national security.  The debates are designed to provide both candidates the opportunity to field questions directly from voters.

The closest thing Melissa Bean has had to a debate was one in a Grayslake supermarket in late February. See YouTube video below.

In 2002, when Melissa Bean was challenging Rep. Phil Crane, she issued an open letter to Crane’s campaign, urging him to debate the issues so the voters could be educated about his voting record.  In October of 2002, she wrote:

“So there is no confusion as to my sincere commitment in educating the residents of our district on the issues, I will meet you any day, any time, and anywhere.”

Furthermore, in a News Sun article from that same month, Melissa Bean stated that

“There are those incumbents who want their records to be known and can stand on their records… Crane is not one of them. He knows his record is out of alignment with the people in his district, and he wants to fly under the radar and not debate me. I say, ‘Come on out Mr. Crane and let’s talk about the issues.’”

Walsh commented on that letter today.

“It seems that Melissa Bean has ‘gone Washington,’ and she is now employing the same tactics her predecessor used.  She is ducking from debates and hiding from her record.”

He added, “The Eighth District does not support her votes for cap-and-trade, the Stimulus, or ObamaCare.  She clearly does not want to be held accountable for her voting record.”

The Walsh Campaign will reissue the debate invitation to the Bean Campaign today.

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Below you can listen to Bean debate her constituents.