Miller-Meeks challenges Loebsack to 15 debates in 2nd District

UPDATED: Second District Republican nominee Mariannette Miller-Meeks has challenged two-term Democrat Rep. Dave Loebsack to 15 debates – one in each county of the district.

"The incumbent and I have some very clear differences in how we'd approach the nation's challenges,” Miller-Meeks said.

Those differences include his vote to bail out Wall Street, approve health care reform and increase the national debt, she said.

“I think we owe it to the voters of the district to stand side-by-side and talk about those issues so we can have an honest, informative discussion,” Miller-Meeks said.

“The incumbent and I have some very clear differences in how we'd approach the nation's challenges. He and I know where those differences are because I've criticized his vote to bail out Wall Street, approve the ObamaCare take-over of our health care system and run up our national debt,” Miller-Meeks said.  “I think we owe it to the voters of the district to stand side by side and talk about those issues so we can have an honest, informative discussion.”

The Loebsack campaign didn't rule out a debate or, perhaps, more than one.

“Dave comes home every weekend to talk with Iowans and looks forward to civil and honest debate about the issues that matter to families,” a campaign spokesperson said.

Two years ago. Loebsack and Miller-Meeks had three debates in the run-up to the general election.

During the recent four-way Republican primary campaign, which Miller-Meeks won with nearly 51 percent of the vote, there were at least seven forums or joint appearances in which three or more candidates participated.

Miller-Meeks, who has sent the challenge to Loebsack's campaign headquarters, invited local newspapers or radio and television stations and civic organizations to contact her campaign to express their interest in sponsoring a debate in their county.

“For instance, a county fair would be an outstanding setting for a debate and it would be a genuine way to bring government closer to the people,” Miller-Meeks said. “I also believe we should meet for the traditional three debates closer to the election.”

The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Linn and Jonson counties on the north to the Missouri border and east to the Mississippi River. It also includes Appanoose, Cedar, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington and Wayne counties.