FAST FACTS:
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 07/11/2010) The battle lines have been drawn and the war of words have begun between incumbent 9th district Congressman Steve Cohen and his opponent, former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.
"I tell you this guy is a phony, he's scared to death and we're going to beat him," said Herenton when we got up with him campaigning at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
"Willie Herenton being in Congress is a wild dream and I don't have wild dreams," said Cohen.
Cohen came to our News Channel 3 studios Sunday, the day he and Herenton were scheduled to debate ready for action.
"I'm here as I promised. I think we should have had a debate. It should have been here and when people agree to a debate they should keep their word," said Cohen.
Last year, Cohen and Herenton, agreed to a News Channel 3 debate. In May, the former mayor pulled out, saying our panelists Norm Brewer and Otis Sanford wouldn't be fair to him. We extended another invitation to Herenton just days ago and he declined.
This morning, we caught up with him as he campaigned at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
"There are other networks that agreed to sponsor the debate. He does not want to confront me, he does not want to debate Willie Herenton in any public forum."
Both candidates have called each other out saying the other is scared of a face to face meeting.
"We have a record, it has been an outstanding record. The people of this district will vote on an outstanding record and that record is Willie Herenton," Herenton proclaimed.
"There's no way he can compete with me on the issues. There's no way he can compete with me for legislative experience so he might be fearful of that, I don't know," said Cohen.
We still don't know if Cohen and Herenton will ever meet for a formal debate but that's not stopping them from waging a war of words.
"They need to come off that Cohen Plantation and get on the Herenton Freedom Train."
"I think that statement shows that he is a desperate candidate," said Cohen.
Early voting starts on Friday. Election day is August 5th.
- Herenton and Cohen Scheduled To Debate Sunday Night
- Herenton Pulled Out In May
- Candidates Took Verbal Jabs At Each Other
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 07/11/2010) The battle lines have been drawn and the war of words have begun between incumbent 9th district Congressman Steve Cohen and his opponent, former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.
"I tell you this guy is a phony, he's scared to death and we're going to beat him," said Herenton when we got up with him campaigning at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
"Willie Herenton being in Congress is a wild dream and I don't have wild dreams," said Cohen.
Cohen came to our News Channel 3 studios Sunday, the day he and Herenton were scheduled to debate ready for action.
"I'm here as I promised. I think we should have had a debate. It should have been here and when people agree to a debate they should keep their word," said Cohen.
Last year, Cohen and Herenton, agreed to a News Channel 3 debate. In May, the former mayor pulled out, saying our panelists Norm Brewer and Otis Sanford wouldn't be fair to him. We extended another invitation to Herenton just days ago and he declined.
This morning, we caught up with him as he campaigned at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
"There are other networks that agreed to sponsor the debate. He does not want to confront me, he does not want to debate Willie Herenton in any public forum."
Both candidates have called each other out saying the other is scared of a face to face meeting.
"We have a record, it has been an outstanding record. The people of this district will vote on an outstanding record and that record is Willie Herenton," Herenton proclaimed.
"There's no way he can compete with me on the issues. There's no way he can compete with me for legislative experience so he might be fearful of that, I don't know," said Cohen.
We still don't know if Cohen and Herenton will ever meet for a formal debate but that's not stopping them from waging a war of words.
"They need to come off that Cohen Plantation and get on the Herenton Freedom Train."
"I think that statement shows that he is a desperate candidate," said Cohen.
Early voting starts on Friday. Election day is August 5th.
