Lincoln Diaz-Balart is Afraid to Debate Mayor Martinez on TV

Televised debates were proposed by Univision-23, Mega TV, and America TéVe when the race began but Lincoln Diaz-Balart has been afraid to debate Mayor Martinez on TV, especially in Spanish. All three of the televised debates were proposed before the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Debate, which is the only debate Lincoln has accepted, but Lincoln purposefully held out for a debate which would not be televised.

“Lincoln is doing everything he can to hide from the constituents of District 21 because he is afraid to face the voters, on camera, and explain why he has done nothing to lower the cost of healthcare, end our dependence on costly foreign oil, and help get us out of Iraq,” said Martinez Communications Director Aaron Blye. “It is a sad day in America when a U.S. Congressman like Lincoln Diaz-Balart has the time to fly 2,000 miles away from his district to play childish political games defending President Bush outside the Democratic Convention, but he won’t give voters the time of day when it comes to providing real solutions to important problems,” added Blye.

Mayor Martinez has accepted invitations to the following debates:

Barry University Congressional Debate
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Moderator(s): TBA

A Mano Limpia with Oscar Haza (América TeVe - Canal 41) - Televised
Date: TBD (between September 22 & September 25)
Time: TBD
Moderator(s): Oscar Haza

Univision (WLTV 23) Congressional Debate - Televised
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Moderator(s): Representatives of El Nuevo Herald, Univision Radio, Univision-23, and Univision23.com

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Congressional Debate
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: 12:00 PM
Moderator(s): Michael Putney, WPLG Channel 10 Senior Political Reporter

Miami Dade College Congressional Debate
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Time: 5:00 PM

Latin Builders Association Congressional Debate
Date: Friday, October 31, 2008
Time: 1:00 PM
Moderator(s): Michael Putney, WPLG Channel 10 Senior Political Reporter
Myriam Marquez, Miami Herald Columnist

Maria Elvira Live (Mega TV) Congressional Debate - Televised
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Moderator(s): Maria Elvira, Host of Maria Elvira Live

Diaz-Balart was a no-show for a May debate planned by the South Florida AFL-CIO, and he continues to duck invitations for a televised debate.