Van Tran for Congress

Day 30: “Debate Duck” Chases Loretta Sanchez Demanding She Stop Ducking Debates With Van Tran

Overspending Incumbent Has Ducked the Issues and Her Opponent For Nearly A Month.

SANTA ANA – While many of us were barbecue with our families last Monday for Labor Day, overspending Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez was being chased around the Santa Ana Zoo by “Debate Duck” with one simple question.

“Will you stop DUCKING debates with your opponent for Congress, Assemblyman Van Tran?”

“Debate Duck” stood under a scorching Labor Day weekend sun Saturday passing out flyers to 1,000 guests at a Santa Ana Zoo barbecue staged by the Orange County Labor Federation.

The flyers encouraged members of the public to challenge Sanchez to schedule a debate with Van Tran.

“It is no surprise that Ms. Sanchez, a 14 year Washington politician, would duck debates since she has done little to nothing for the people of Orange County,” said Assemblyman Van Tran. “But the people of this great state and county deserve to have an open and honest debate about the issues facing this country like jobs, spending, debt and the direction of Congress.”

Here is what people are saying about Sanchez’s refusal to defend her 14 year record of unaccomplishment in a public debate:

“Embattled Democrat Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez continues to duck debates with her GOP challenger, popular Assemblyman Van Tran. One can presume, I suppose, that the important responsibilities of an important Member of Congress like Sanchez have her too busy for such “luxuries” as debating an opponent before a competitive election. So what exactly is keeping Representative Sanchez busy? You need look no farther than the Twitter feed of none other than Playboy Magazine founder and owner Hugh Hefner.” (Flashreport.org; Rep. Loretta Sanchez visits Hef & Crystal At The Playboy Mansion; Hef Tweets!; Publisher Jon Fleischman; 9-1-2010)

“With all due respect to Hef, dodging debates with her opponent, and ignoring constituents’ concerns does not constitute ‘taking care of business.’ This is the problem with Washington politicians… In the meantime, California remains on the brink of economic and fiscal disaster.” – NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain.

“Besides ducking a debate with her opponent, Assemblyman Van Tran, Orange County’s only Congressional Democrat Loretta Sanchez is also pushing forward with a plan to slam small businesses with massive tax hikes that are certain to kill jobs, prevent businesses from hiring, and set the already-struggling economy back even more.(RedCounty.com; CD 47 Watch: Overspending Loretta Sanchez Slams Job Creators With Big Taxes for Small Business; J. Frank Parnell; August 23, 2010)

“Assemblyman Van Tran Monday sent a letter to Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez, asking the seven-term incumbent to face him in four debates as the two battle to represent the voters of the 47th Congressional District. ‘As Californians consider the future of their state and country before they cast their vote in the November election, they have before them a distinct choice between the two candidates with different solutions to our nation’s challenges,’ wrote Tran.” (OC Register; Tran Challenges Sanchez To Four Debates, August 9th, 2010, Dena Bunis, Washington Bureau Chief)

“…Tran has challenged Sanchez to a series of four debates in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove and Fullerton – a challenge she has not yet accepted. A debate, Tran said, “is the American way. It’s the great democratic tradition of having forums like this.” (O.C. Register; Congressional Candidates Offer Different Solutions; By Doug Irvine; Sept. 5, 2010)

“Ms. Sanchez’s disregard for the voters of Orange County is disturbing. Multiple partisan and non-partisan organizations throughout Orange County have offered to host debates between the candidates but Ms.Sanchez continues to duck responding to the numerous debate requests. Van Tran wants to have this conversation, it is clear Ms. Sanchez does not.” - Tran Campaign Manager George Andrews.