Senate Candidate Eric Hovde Challenges Arianna Huffington to a Debate
Hovde claims the "elite liberal media" are baselessly attacking him based on a few seconds from a 14-minute speech. He said the left is labeling him as anti-poor, and he's challenging Huffington Post founder to a debate any time and any place.
U.S. Senate hopeful Eric Hovde isn’t afraid to step outside the political boxing ring to debate - anywhere at any time.
In fact, on Wednesday he challenged Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington to debate about who has done more for the less fortunate in America.
“I will gladly debate Ms. Huffington any time and any place in front of a room full of journalists on what she has done for the less fortunate versus what I have done,” Hovde stated Wednesday.
Hovde put out the challenge to Huffington after the online media outlet posted a story about the Wisconsin real estate developer’s comments pertaining to the media’s portrayal of the poor in America.
In the Huffington Post article Hovde is quoted as saying:
"I see a reporter here," he said. "I just pray that you start writing about these issues. I just pray. Stop always writing about, 'Oh, the person couldn't get, you know, their food stamps or this or that.' You know, I saw something the other day -- it's like, another sob story, and I'm like, 'But what about what's happening to the country and the country as a whole?' That's going to devastate everybody."
Hovde asserts that Huffington is baselessly attacking him, and that his comments were taken “grossly” out of context. In fact, the quote was just a few seconds from a 14-minute speech he delivered Friday in Brookfield.
“The fact that I am being attacked for wanting to address the problems we face is exactly what is wrong with our political system,” said Hovde. “Nothing ever gets fixed in our country because you can’t even talk about the serious issues without suffering attacks against your character.”
Hovde asserts that he is doing good things for the poor. In 1998, he created the Hovde Foundation to fund multiple sclerosis research. A few years later, he shifted focus to helping vulnerable street children around the globe. Then, in 2005, he started building ‘Hovde Houses,’ which are group shelters that provide housing, supportive services children in six countries.
“I find it shameful that Arianna Huffington who, through her heritage, is well-versed on the devastating effect the debt crisis has had on Greek society, entitlements and their lower and middle classes would use my comments out of context to attack me,” Hovde said.
Huffington is not the only person Hovde is ready to wage rhetorical war with. He also blasted his U.S. Senate opponent, Tommy Thompson, for passing up on an opportunity to debate.
Huffington did not immediately comment on Hovde’s challenge, but Patch contacted her via email.
If both eventually decide to put the gloves on and debate – Patch will be there.
Bob McBride
2:27 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
good lord...what a knucklehead.
Greg
2:42 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
There is a problem, that if you say anything about the poor, minorities or others, you are instantly branded a hater or a racist. Some issues need to be talked about and we don't have time for the Huffington type B.S.
Ed Willing
9:27 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I completely agreed with what he said. It's nice to hear someone say "look, our problems will make those sob stories worse unless we fix this debt issue!"
Tommy is only willing to say "I'll balance the budget!" like heck he will....
James R Hoffa
2:45 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
@Bob Dole -
Really???
I'm really starting to like Hovde - he reminds me a lot of myself. If Huffington wants to take him out-of-context to make a partisan biased headline, which is clearly what happened, then they should be prepared to put up or shut up themselves!
It's about time people started calling out the bs! I support Hovde on this challenge and would love to see how Ms. Huffington responds, if she even does.
Bob McBride
3:11 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Yeah, really. She may sound like a Gabor sister, but she's no Lisa Douglas. At this point the best he can hope for is that she declines and only rips him a new one in her venue.
T Squared has to be thanking his lucky stars for Eric Hovde at this point. He looks like a political mastermind by comparison.
Greg
3:26 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Bob, I disagree, this may be more effective than the stupid commercials.
Bob McBride
3:57 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
More effective at what, Greg? I don't see how he comes out on top with this.
Jay Sykes
4:13 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Is Hovde the Oliver Wendell Douglas or Arnold Ziffel character?
It's Tommy with the snout-ful; guess it's Hovde as Oliver Wendell Douglas.
James R Hoffa
4:17 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
If Hovde really wanted to start moving up the polls, he'd listen to Hoffa more!
Steve ®
4:53 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
As the liberal ideals and socialism fails around the world the media has to do everything they can to slander the successful party.
Just look what they did with Romney recently. What a joke they all are.
http://mrctv.org/videos/msnbc-selectively-edits-romney-speech-laughs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq5W3gxWLxw
Caught again, just think of the bull you were fed before youtube.
Jason
5:20 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Think of the bull you have been fed after Youtube.
Keith Schmitz
9:39 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Um Steve, Ireland was pegged by the right as a libertarian paradise, until it's economy started swirling around the toilet.
Ed Willing
9:31 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Ummm, Keith, no reasonable Conservative is going t o argue against the kind of oversit that evaluates the behavior Ireland engaged in for years preceding the debt crisis.
The appropropriate reaction to failure is not to run the opposite direction of the pricniples that bring more prosperity to more people.
JC
5:51 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I think I am starting to like Mr. Hovde-nothing better than someone who is willing to take on a fight!
Johnny Blade
5:59 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
By caring for the poor huffpo means .. we want to force people with jail time or fines unless you "donate" to the poor .. and by doing it this way the "poor" feel now entitled to your salaries .. and Huffpo feels better about herself .. even though by really donating out of the goodness of your heart is what makes you feel good.
Keith Schmitz
9:40 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Don't think Ms. Huffington is going to give RoJo 2.0 the leg up he wants by doing the debate.
Luke
7:07 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
She's at a big disadvantage because the way she mostly "helps the poor" is to encourage others to give.
lolo peeg
7:49 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Righto, Schmitz. Bullies tend to back down when they are challenged by someone with balls.
Ed Willing
9:32 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Arianna goes further than "encouraging others to give." she advocates compelled compassion. People forcibly getting money taken away from them to get you others who didn't earn it, but could have.
Luke
7:02 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hovde really has done a lot for the poor. I also work with the poor, and I've been running across his name in one way or another for years. I didn't know who he was until last year.
lolo peeg
7:48 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Go for it Eric. Huffington and her ilk need to be exposed for the hypocrites they are.
Dave Ruske
7:58 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hovde needs to grow a thicker skin if he wants to play in politics. Both sides take comments out of context, misrepresent fact, slice the truth in half and serve it on a bed of outright lies.
Ed Willing
9:33 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Dave, this isn't about tougher skin. In fact, thinner skin would have merely whined.
He's challenging her. He's showing the opposite of what you're claiming
Jason
8:39 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
For some of you I think it stings just a little bit more knowing that she is a former conservative.
Ed Willing
9:34 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
No sting.... Just amusement that she allowed herself to get twisted by those she could debate issues with. She gave in rather than defend her moderate beliefs.
JJ Racine
8:12 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Anti-poor... Would anyone say they are pro-poor?! We should all be anti-poor, I think there are alot of resources out there for the less fortunate in our society to try and better themselves but nobody can force them to have the motivation to use the opportunities. As far as those who come by their bad situation honestly there are many programs to provide assistance when needed until they can get back on their feet.... thanks to Mr. Hovde, others out there like him and our government.