Cantor should be ‘fired’

Anita Hartke
Published: October 10, 2008

I am writing in regard to my challenge to U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor to debate me at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria on Monday.

The presidential candidates and the people of America would sure like to hear that Cantor believes that a debate is a publicity stunt.

A debate is “a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints; a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.”

I do not understand why Eric refuses to debate me —even Sarah Palin debates and Gov. Gilmore debated Gov. Warner.

With Eric’s voting record, with as little as he has done for you in Virginia, it’s no wonder he is afraid to debate. If Eric changes his mind, I promise not to wink!

I will be at Graves Mountain Lodge at noon on Monday —Columbus Day.

My father won the United States Senate seat in Indiana by debating an “empty chair” against a Republican who thought he could not be beat. The reason is simple — one candidate has the money; the other has the people’s interests at heart.

We need to preserve integrity in politics — a forum would help to clear the waters of deception in Washington, D.C.
I predict a Democratic landslide victory across the board.

Is Eric afraid to expose the truth? People like myself do not know what was in the papers submitted when he was rejected as a vice presidential running mate or the details of Eric’s deals with his friends like convicted felon Jack Abramoff or Tom Delay, who may also be indicted. What happened in the handling of money that Eric took and gave back? 

If I lose this election, it will be because the voters have been bought.

We are free-falling into a depression that was brought on by George Bush, Eric Cantor and their cronies. Our economy has been run into a ditch. We need change yesterday to bring hope back to the citizens.

Eric refuses to debate any candidate because he doesn’t want them to reveal his 95 percent-plus record of voting with President Bush. He is out of touch with reality, like McCain. They live in ivory towers; they do not worry about filling up their car with gas, paying a heat and mortgage bill, keeping their job and home, affording a doctor visit or buying groceries.

The point is, if Eric actually has something to say about his views, he should have the decency to debate. The voters have a right to have an opportunity to hear and compare the candidates so they can make an informed decision.

The congressional salary does not make Eric a millionaire. Maybe we need an inquiry into the favors he does for his buddies in the tobacco industry, the oil conglomerates and banking. He is protected from a complaint or “federal inquiry” for 60 days prior to a congressional election, though.

Eric has been in office eight years and is a significant player in our financial downfall. He signed the bailout bill and did not want to insert clauses to protect the taxpayers, consumers and homeowners.

He believes infant health care is too expensive and the reason for our economic climate is the people’s lack of confidence.

He must be held accountable and responsible. Donald Trump might say to Eric, ‘You’re fired.”

People are hurting, and it is just not right. “Money corrupts” is an old biblical line and Eric cannot stand the fact that people want transparency in their government.

Anita Hartke is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 7th District of Virginia. She is running against Republican incumbent Eric Cantor. E-mail