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Highlands Today

Mahoney To Rooney: Congratulations! Let's Debate

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GARY PINNELL Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

Congressman Tim Mahoney wasted no time in upstaging his opponent and seeking an advantage.

At 12:44 a.m. Wednesday, minutes after the results of the Republican congressional primary were known, Mahoney congratulated Tequesta attorney Tom Rooney and, in the same press release, challenged him to a debate.

"The voters deserve answers, they deserve solutions," Mahoney said. "I propose to meet my opponent head on, face to face in a series of debates on the issues."

The Rooney campaign was cool to the idea.

"We're evaluating our schedule and seeing what we can work out," said Jeff Ostermeyer, communications director, who also threw in a jab at Mahoney, saying Rooney looks forward to discussing Mahoney's opposition to drilling, his support for tax hikes, and the reasons he dislikes his job.

Mahoney opposes offshore Florida drilling but demands oil companies use the 68 million acres they are leasing elsewhere from the federal government. Soon after he was elected, Mahoney said being a Congressman is not his favorite job.

"We've got a lot of things booked ahead of time, but we'll definitely be debating him," Ostermeyer said.

Marc Goldberg, speaking for the Mahoney campaign, said he hasn't received a reply yet. "We'll be sending a formal letter today or tomorrow."

Both candidates avoided talking about finances.

As of Aug. 6, Mahoney had collected $2.6 million, but still had $1 million on hand.

Rooney collected more than $800,000 for the race, and his fellow Republicans spent most of their budgets on mailers and TV advertising. On Aug. 6, Rooney had only $231,000 in cash.

Justine Devlin, the Highlands County GOP chairman, said she plans an event in the future to help Rooney raise money.

Neither candidate currently has Highlands County on the campaign itinerary, their spokesman said.

Mahoney skipped the Democratic Convention this week to work in the district, Goldberg said. He hasn't been campaigning, he's been talking with FEMA about flooding, or highlighting legislation he's sponsored or helped to pass.

Chuck Oakes of Lake Placid is attending the Republican convention, which starts Sept. 1 in the Twin Cities. Oakes, a nursing home owner and a former Highlands County GOP chairman, said he'll fly from Orlando to Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon.

Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828

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