No debate for Perry and White
(CNN) -Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Houston Mayor Bill White have spent most of the summer sparring over whether or not to have a debate in their race for the Governor's office with a deadlock being the apparent result.
"There is no formal debate," said Texans for Rick Perry Press Secretary Alejandro Garcia
White had until Sept.15th, a deadline set by Perry to submit the remainder of his tax returns which included returns from the 1990s when he worked under the Clinton Administration.
Candidates running for public office have no formal process when it comes to submitting their tax returns for public viewing. Garcia said it is up to the candidate to decide how they want to make their tax returns public this is separate from the campaign finance reports each candidate must file with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Katy Bacon, Bill White for Texas spokesperson told CNN,"Bill White has submitted all his tax returns.".
Bacon said Perry has only released tax returns for 23 years of his 25 year-old career.
"He's held an office for longer than most Texans have been alive," said Bacon.
Garcia said Perry has submitted all of his tax returns and that White is "dancing" around the issue of tax returns.
White has released a series of videos on his website where he continues to push for a debate with Perry.
"Here's the difference between Rick Perry and me–he's a professional politican and he thinks appearing in a debate where you can be accountable for the public is sort of like a favor for the other candidate," said White in a video posted on his website.
Asked if a debate could be held if White submitted the remaining tax returns, Garcia said "No, logistically, it's too late."
The last time Texas gubernatorial candidates did not hold a debate was when Democrat Ann Richards and Republic Clayton Williams were running for the office in 1990.
Perry and White will both make separate appearances at an Arab-American Voters event in Houston on Monday.
The most recent poll conducted by the University of Texas/Texas Tribune shows Perry leading 39-33 over White.
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Perry won't debate for the same reason he didn't sit for editorial boards: His record is rotten and he can't run on it. He is counting solely on anti-Obama sentiment. (Never mind that White's as much a Democrat as Scott Brown is a Republican.)
Perry is gonna win. bet on it
Let's face it. If Perry debates White, people would see that White is the only candidate that actually has ideas about how to move Texas forward. Perry, it's just the same old song ... career politician who things he's elected for life.
To my fellow Texans, if you can stomach another tax and spend Liberal Democrat, vote for Bill White!
Perry isn't great, but I sure will vote for him over 'Sanctuary City Bill White'. As Mayor of Houston Bill White made Houston a sanctuary city for illegal aliens and he'll make Texas a sanctuary for illegal aliens....Ask the family of the fine police officers that have been killed here by illegal aliens. Ask the family of the 14 year old girl that was shot in the back while trying to get away from two illegal aliens and ask the families that have lost loved ones to DWI illegal aliens. Nope, won't be voting for a person that wants to turn Texas into a sanctuary city. Bill White wasn't good for Houston in many ways and he won't be good for Texas as Governor in many ways.
It's too bad because White would have carved the Bush lap dog to pieces. Like his predecessor, Perry is no good off the cuff, either! He was hand-picked for "W" by "W's" parents and then they turned around and endorsed the East Texas Cheeleader, Kay Bailey Hutchison, for governor. The Bush Family represents the best in business and social ethics, no?! And talk about loyalty!!!!!!!
a hispanic working for the sececionist perry???????....I would call it: PANDERING to the hispanic vote, but my fellow latinos will not fall for that crap..........garcia, you are a disgrace
I guess, there is no debate because Rick Perry actually would have to answer to uncomfortable questions. Debating Bill White requires some intellect, not just flash phrases.
Perry had the resolve to stand up to washington, I doubt if white has that resolve. He will probably be just another obamabot.
Perry is chicken and knows he couldn't take the heat. Sort of like Brewer's 15 seconds gone blank in Arizona! All these unqualified Party of No members who are up for election or re-election Fools all of them!
Perry why not debate white over the refusal to release tax returns...? That is a debate you can have for Texans to make informed decisions. I think Perry has a lot of to hide than White in the debate – White can you use this chance to unearth what Perry is hiding. Not debating is hiding something Gov. Perry that is the point – you are on your way to lose...
Rick Perry is a big Frady Cat. He's not bright (except politically charismatic) and yet he's arrogant.
He's a lying nightmare for many of us in TX.
Texas doesn't need a Democrat to run us into bankrupcy like New York, Michigan, Illionis, Nevada and etc. We'll stay solvent, and Republican thank you, besides, we love children, and hard work here. Democrats can take their Tax Ya and Give Out Freebies in the states they are already running bankrupt, including the United States!
Bill White could straighten Texas out. He was a superb mayor of Houston.
should a true Texan like Rick want to lower himself to get on stage with a drunken Democrat like White. He needs to climb back into his gohper hole and shut his Mexican Cartel's mouth.
Perry not wanting to debate White is just like here in Arizona. Unelected Governor Brewer will not debate the Democratic candidate Mr. Goddard either. They are like two peas in a pod – Cowards both. The voters in Texas and Arizona deserve to hear from the candidates so that informed decisions can be made. But, then again, I guess that's the reason Perry and Brewer won't debate.
As a Texan I am not surprised by Rick Perry's decision. A debate is a public good for the exchange of ideas so voters can make an informed decision. All Perry has done is load up favors for political cronies while ignoring the needs of the rest of Texas' citizens.
perry won't debate because he still thinks he might have a chance to win. He knows like angle, odonel, and the rest of the tea hadi faithful that if they actually have to say what they are going to do to the people no sane person would vote for them.
American want to hear debates- we have so grown accostomed to hearing the liars. I meant the lies. Please do excuse my slip.