Puckett says no to Zirkle suggestion for debate in congressional race

Tribune Staff Report

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Luke Puckett

GOP candidate Luke Puckett announces his intention to run against Democrat Joe Donnelly for Indiana's 2nd District congressional seat Tuesday at the GOP headquarters in South Bend. He will face Tony Zirkle in the May 6 GOP primary. (Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 7, 2008 at 12:18 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 5, 2008 at 3:38 PM EDT

SOUTH BEND — Luke Puckett has told Tony Zirkle he has no interest in debating.

Both men are Republican candidates in the 2nd Congressional District, presently represented by Democrat Joe Donnelly of Granger.

Puckett, of Goshen, has the support of the local Republican Party, while party officials have tried to distance themselves from Zirkle, who has suggested segregation of the races needs to be discussed.

"What's your campaign's position on debates?" Zirkle, of South Bend, asked in an e-mail to the Puckett campaign. "I can probably be available any night except Friday night for a debate in any of the 12 counties" of the 2nd Congressional District.

Kyle Bailey, campaign manager for Puckett, responded, "Due to your outrageous and hurtful comments toward African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Americans of all cultures, we decline any debates.’’

The Puckett campaign would prefer to concentrate on a positive vision for the future, Bailey said.

Read the full e-mail exchange between the two campaigns.

Monday, Apr 21 at 4:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Thank you to Luke Puckett for not giving a Nazi a voice. The Brown shirts might show up, and then it just gets voilent from there. Mr. Zirkle, visit the Holocaust Museum in our nations capitol. Then visit Europe, and take a tour of the Nazis greatest monuments:Treblinka, Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and the list goes on. If you want to debate the issues, fine. But you do not. You want to spout Christian Identity, a racist rant(not a religion) that preaches hate. Read the 23rd psalm, and know.

Monday, Apr 21 at 3:47 PM charlie wrote ...

Gee! we went through this a number of years ago. My Dad and Uncles fought against the type of people Zirkle is embracing. Don't need Nazi sympathisers and separationists in our government. If Zirkle needs a forum,He can take his simpathies to the thirld world where they are also against freedom and liberty

Friday, Mar 7 at 5:50 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Zirkle is an oaf!

Friday, Mar 7 at 3:16 PM Ralph wrote ...

What is THIS in the opening of the reply to Zirkle on the email exchange link ??? "Mr. HVFVGPD Zirkle"

Friday, Mar 7 at 2:13 PM Huckleberry wrote ...

Not much trumps the race card. One politician accusing another of opportunism... You can just hear the hollow laughter coming from Satan's office in Hell.

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