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Roskam Declines Invitation to Candidate Forum Hosted by Patch, League of Women Voters

Rep. Peter Roskam is unable to attend Patch, League of Women Voters candidate forum due to a prior commitment.

 

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) on Friday notified the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Palatine Area he will not be able to attend an Oct. 11 candidate forum in Palatine because of a previous commitment.

Last month, Patch partnered with the LWV to invite candidates in the Illinois 6th Congressional District race to a candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 at Palatine Village Hall.

The invitation was the group's second attempt to host such a debate, after Rep. Roskam was unable to attend the Oct. 4 event. Candidate Leslie Coolidge (D-Barrington) previously accepted the Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 invitations.

Patch covers more than a dozen towns in the 6th District, including Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, Barrington, Crystal Lake-Cary, Darien, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale-Clarendon HillsLake Zurich, Lisle, Naperville, Palatine, St. Charles and Wheaton.

To read about the candidates, go to our Illinois 6th Congressional District race page.

Related Topics: 6th Congressional District, Candidate Forum, Leslie Coolidge, Peter Roskam, and election 2012

Bob Stock

11:48 am on Monday, October 1, 2012

Republicans have painted themselves into a corner as to where they stand with respect to women and are unlikely to accept to speak at an event sponsored by women.

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DG Guy

12:38 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Bob you're trying to stir up hate and people just aren't going to buy it.

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Kent Frederick

6:49 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

I know a fair number of women, Catholic, Mainline Protestant, and evangelical Protestant women who agree with the GOP.

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Terri Timonen

8:21 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Agree. I consider myself a Republican, but on this ticket I'll vote for Leslie Coolidge. I don't buy Roskam's "excuses" for declining the invitation to debate... twice now. Do you think I or other voters really buy the "previous commitment" excuse? Such blatant and arrogant dishonesty insults me as a woman first and as a voter second. Reminds me of the dating game...every now and then you date a man who is too immature to "man up" and just tell you he's not interested. I would have had more respect for Roskam if he had stated his "real" reasons for not participating in the debate instead of some lame excuse. Tsk, tsk...

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Robert

4:33 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Roskam, who seeks re-election, is now running in a newly created district that includes communities/constituents that may not be familiar with his voting record on many issues. I for one have little respect for an incumbent, regardless of his/her party affiliation, who refuses to debate his/her opponent on topics deemed of importance...this is nothing short of arrogance and demonstrates an indifference to the concerns of the people of his/her Congressional District. If Roskam fails to debate, I in turn will fail to cast my vote for him.

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Sharon Alexander

4:36 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Pro Rape Baby and voting for the Let Women Die act....yea, I know binders full of women who support this.

Paul

12:48 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

He is afraid of his record which if its like cantors and boehner means he did not do a thing.

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J. Geoff Rove

7:08 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Even Cantor is debating his opponent.

Bob Stock

1:13 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

DG Guy;
I'm only stating fact as I see it, by virture of how you responded to my position I can only presume it struck a chord and while you accuse me of "trying to stir up hate", I don't have to, the Republicans are doing a fine job.

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DG Guy

3:43 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Bob you are spreading nonsense. Approximately 50% of republicans are women. Please explain to us all how these women are anti-woman. How about Norma L. McCorvey who is the Roe in Roe V Wade. She became pro-life and is now a vocal opponent of abortion. Has she now become anto-woman? Who decides what is Pro-Woman and what is Anti? Is it a dude name Bob? I'm a white guy and you seem opposed to me. Can I label you anti-white?

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Kent Frederick

6:53 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

The Democrats are also stirring up hate, for rich people.

John Mihas

1:39 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

To bad, if the tables where reversed Roskam would want a debate. I would like to see the candidates have the debate, but apparently Roskam is afraid. When need term limits for all candidates, not career politicians like Roskam.

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Larry Burns

2:34 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

I find is very disheartening that my elected representative appears to be unable to find time for a discussion in front of voters on the key issues of the day.

Representative Roskam is a very skilled politician and speaker and should be more than able to state, defend and discuss his positions in an open forum. Latest polls taken in the district (which after redistricting is far larger bringing a large influx of new constituents to Rep. Roskam's redrawn 6th) seem to indicate a distinct lack of awareness and comprehension of the two candidates and their positions. I think it would be an obvious benefit for both candidates, as well as the voting public, to find a way to be seen and heard.

Perhaps Rep Roskam feels his ($50 a ticket) event on October 27th featuring a discussion with Dr. Frank Luntz, Fox News Contributor and Pollster qualifies as meeting & hearing from voters? No doubt 10 days before the election it will be fascinating to hear what the guru of Fox News polling says and he is quite an entertaining speaker (http://roskamforcongress.com/events/view/943).

But somehow I think the voters are not really served by such an event. Simply searching many areas you can find all manner of interesting discussion around Dr. Luntz and his political actives. http://mediamatters.org/tags/frank-luntz

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Paul

2:48 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Bottom line is this guy is chicken-Sh-t. Typical tea partier/republican.

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McCloud

2:53 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Paul, you're back! Still catagorizing people I see. Hey take a look at this link, it reminds me of you guys.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-september-5-2012/hope-and-change-2---the-party-of-inclusion

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Dick

3:39 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Meanwhile, in the 8th District, Walsh wants more debates and its Duckworth that won't agree. Hum.

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J. Geoff Rove

7:07 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Nice try by nonpac to air tv commercials making Walsh look like Abe Lincoln, NOT.

McCloud

4:38 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

John, nice attempt, but it doesn't change record unemployment, record massive debt accumulated under Obama, record foreclosures, credit downgrades, and a 1% GDP. And that's not BSh-t.

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John Mihas

3:13 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

you forget the markets have rebounded and record profits for corporate America,

But he did invade a country that had nothing to do with 9-11 and has not being able to fund to wars. that is bu$$$$$$$$t

Kent Frederick

6:56 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

What purpose does a debate really serve? In the era of the internet, it is incredibly easy to look up everything every written about a candidate, as well as every word he or she has uttered in public.

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Barry Allen

1:31 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I agree. I'll make most of my decisions based on voting records (for incumbents) and the candidates own ideas (from their websites and self authored op-ed pieces). It is just too difficult to sort out the spin given by most media sources that the publish as fact.

So ... it's important that the candidates figure out early how they're going to use social media AND how they're going to escape from just echoing the party's sound bytes and talking points. A candidate's web site that looks like it was written from the Democrat or Republican web site template counts as a NO vote. I'm truly tired of cookie cutter politicians.

A candidate's effective use of social media saves me from attending a half dozen debates, wasting a lot of time, and only finding out who memorized their talking points the best and could recite them to the crowd.

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John Mihas

3:14 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

always insightful to here from roskam apologist

Paul

12:02 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I see mccloud is blaming obama for the foreclosures. You are one of the, I hate to say it dumbest individual I have encountered here. Or any blog for that matter. To blame someone for something that transpired before he even took the oath of office shows me just how incredibly out of touch from reality you are. My guess, to much airplane glue when you were a little buck.

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RidgewayVol

1:11 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Debates have ceased to really be a determining factor in any election. The elections today are more about soundbites and "gotcha" moments rather than reasoned and engaging debate on the important topics of the day. A true debate wouldn't limit responses to 30, 60 or 90 seconds. Our mess is too complex for that.

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Ralph "Cash" Beardsley

2:58 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Roskam likely figures he's running ahead in this so there's little upside for him to participate and give his lesser known opponent more visibilty/ exposure. Too bad/ not good- it cheats interested voters of the opportunity to see the 2 of them offering their views/ philosophies on the issues. Yes these days there is the internet- and a full debate can be posted on it for all interested persons to view and then make a more informed decision!

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Terri Timonen

4:38 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I don't want to be "lumped" into a voter stereotype that all voters make their decisions based on propaganda. I disregard all propaganda-related marketing... commercials, advertisements, phone calls, media coverage, etc.. While I agree with "RidgewayVol" in that the media does focus on "gotcha" moments when covering a debate. But as you said, the full debate can be posted and viewed, raw and unedited. In my opinion, debates that are made available to the public provide candid, unadulterated information. What else is there other than making an informed decision off the candidate's curriculum vitae, previous political history and employment record (of which the public has limited access to)? What other nonpartisan information exists? Give me a 1/2-hour debate so that I may observe the candidates' behavior, body language, attitude, sincerity (or lack of) and communication skills. Then I'll have a basis for making an informed decision.

McCloud

5:02 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Liberals are always the moderators for these debates. Their questions are crafted to supply the audience with a message. Why not give the moderator to a conservative for once.

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Christina

1:52 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012

The labels and polarization of party affiliation is really irritating. It's as if McCloud (and others) are still living like the Jets and the Sharks. All open minded people are not liberals, just like all tightwads are not conservatives. (okay, I just threw that in for levity). There are many people who enjoy a common ground. Please - liberals are not always anything, and neither are conservatives. Like Obama once said, we are the United States of America.
Love from the 47 percent!!!

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Mary Ann O'Rourke

6:50 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

If Congressman Roskam set the date, time and venue, I'd say "yes, let's do it." Just want to hear my 6th District candidates debate.

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Christina

1:39 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012

I just checked in to see when the debate between Rubberstamp and Ms. Coolidge will be, only to discover it has been postponed . . . AGAIN! Boy, Roskam has time to send out ridiculous oversized postcards bragging about his non accomplishments, yet he cannot face his constituency. Too busy going to China and giving away US jobs, or lunching with insurance company execs? Maybe his face is shoved way up Boehner;s . . . . well, I don't know how this guy stays in office when he can't even come to Illinois for one evening. We all need to call this guy out - or maybe the way to do that is to support Ms. Coolidge!

Christina

10:30 am on Saturday, October 6, 2012

Absolutely Go Leslie! And Go Tammy, too!
BTW, I looked at Rubberstamp's House website and he has zero noted on his agenda or calendar. What is keeping him from debating Ms. Coolidge??? I am going to guess that he isn't willing to face us.

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McCloud

4:37 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Is there some new idea that Leslie has yet to reveal? Lettme guess, more taxes and more spending, throw in a war on women talking point and the League of Women Voters will flush with approval. Roskam is smart to steer clear of this train wreck.

Leigh

2:25 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Judy Biggert backed out of a debate with Foster too. I will not vote for anyone who will not appear in public to take questions from their constituents. Guess she is too busy fighting for tax breaks for "business creators" like Navistar, who incidentally might be laying people off in the near future.

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