Press release: Sowers demonstrates leadership in third debate
October 17, 2010
Sowers demonstrates leadership in third debate
Contact: Christie Cunningham
Email: christie@sowersforcongress.com
Phone: 573.458.0028
Tonight marked the third debate between Tommy Sowers and his opponents Jo Ann Emerson, Larry Bill and Rick Vandeven. The debate focused largely on defense, government spending and education. Sowers continued to highlight the need for leaders in Congress, and this time talked about his experience teaching in Rolla at M S&T:
“On the last day of class I asked my students how many were planning to come back to Rolla after graduation, and no one raised their hand… That’s why I’m in this race, so that our best and brightest can find work and stay right here.”
Sowers, who supports term limits, criticized Congresswoman Emerson and the current Congress for not taking leadership on tough issues:
“Congress is supposed to check the Executive… Congress is supposed to commence, continue, and conclude wars… But right now we’ve got our oldest and longest serving Congress in the history of the Republic, and they’re too focused on reelection to lead.”
Sowers closed the evening with a call to send a “native, a veteran, a teacher and a fighter to Congress.” But before discussing his background and his plans, he commented on Congresswoman Emerson’s time in Washington:
“Congresswoman Emerson likes to blame DC politicians for all of our problems, and say she took leadership when she voted for the bailout. But here are the facts: Leadership is not waiting for a crisis… when there were several actions leading up to that crisis… Leadership is not placing blame. Leadership is not twisting words… Leadership is accepting responsibility.”
The candidates will face off in their last debate tomorrow evening in Park Hills at Mineral Area Community College.
Tommy Sowers, a native of Rolla and an 11-year Army Special Forces veteran who served two tours in Iraq, is running for Congress against incumbent Jo Ann Emerson, a former insurance lobbyist and native of the Washington, DC beltway. Tommy Sowers is the Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 8th Congressional district.
###
