Dalton - Don't expect to hear Gov. Nathan Deal change his mind about attending any debates with his GOP challengers before the May 20 primary.
His Republican rivals, state Superintendent John Barge and former Dalton Mayor David Pennington, have both tried to ratchet up the pressure on Deal with press conferences and social media blasts. Deal's camp has refused, holding to the strategy that a front-runner and incumbent has little to gain by sharing the stage with his challengers.
If anything, a Pennington event hijacked by Deal attorney Randy Evans reinforced that notion with Deal's aides. The governor said Monday that he views his regular chats with us media types as one reason he doesn't think he needs to debate.
Said Deal:
"Debates are designed to determine where candidates stand on issues. For the three and a half years I've been governor, almost every week I have done what I'm doing with you right now. That is three or four times a week answering questions from reporters on virtually any subject they want to ask me about. The best way to know where they stand on issues and I have a great one. … I think my record speaks louder than any words I can say on a debate stage."
That's not to say he's ruled out all debates. If he prevails in May, his spokeswoman Jen Talaber has said to expect the governor to sit for at least one event with Democrat Jason Carter ahead of the November vote.
Pennington's campaign released a statement later Monday saying Deal should have to defend his "shady ethics" in a public forum long before then.
"Yes, Mr. Deal, your record definitely speaks louder than any words. Again, I challenge Mr. Deal to a full public debate of the issues."
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