What’s up with Ryan and Knilans and possible appearances?
Sure, Congressman Paul Ryan of Janesville is more than busy campaigning for vice president of these United States. His schedule is one that would make the heads of most voters swim.
Should he take time out, however, to return to the 1st Congressional District and debate Democratic challenger Rob Zerban?
And what about state Rep. Joe Knilans? Late last week, the Republican from Janesville pulled out of Tuesday’s forum with Democratic candidate Deb Kolste that was to be sponsored by the Janesville League of Women Voters, Forward Janesville and JATV.
Knilans’ campaign manager, Tyler Wenzlaff, told The Gazette on Monday that another “campaign-related event” posed a conflict with Tuesday’s event. He failed to explain what that might have been, however.
Do voters deserve more of an explanation than that? Wenzlaff also told us that Knilans hopes to reschedule the forum. Are you confident that will happen, and should it?
“I don’t know why people are making such a big deal of this,” Wenzlaff told The Gazette. “Joe has four other head-to-heads with Deb.”
Is it a big deal, or not?
We’ll share our perspectives in our editorial Thursday.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Oct 7, 2012 at 9:47 a.m.
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What a condescending comment by Wis_Family.
What hypocrisy...Ryan hates entitlements but feels entitled to the VP and HR position.
Dodging debates is not democracy.
Oct 5, 2012 at 7:34 a.m.
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Fedup - The truth bother you?
Oct 4, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
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the no show twins, ryan and knilans. birds of feather flock together!
Oct 4, 2012 at 3 p.m.
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I find it interesting Greg that a portion of those responding will calmly respond to your article, yet will blast Eyster for saying essentially the same thing. No wonder there's such polarization going on in America.
Oct 4, 2012 at 12:57 p.m.
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If he had another campaign event that caused postponement for the debate, then why didn't the campaign manager actually comment on when & where is was so his supporters could attend. Personally, I think that a debate against the opponent would have been a wiser choice to attend because of the potential of winning over uncommitted voters then attending an event with supporters who have already made their choice, if that indeed was the reason for the cancellation. Although the campaign manager should have had Joe's schedule in front him rescheduling the debate immediately rather than saying that they would decide when at a later date. By saying that, they are giving no respect to Deb for possible conflicts with scheduling an event in the future as the election gets closer and closer.
Oct 4, 2012 at 6:05 a.m.
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Always better to take money intended to help people with mortgages and funnel it to your buddies. Take money from schools and give it business so we can have the slowest job growth of any state in the union. This guy is a puppet without an original thought. Sorry Joe you gotta go.
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:53 p.m.
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I think the only real choice here is Knilans. Kolste is a union puppet who wants to take us back to the days of shifty diamond Jim Doyle. Raid from this fund and that fund to grease the hands of big union bosses. Vote for that? Never.
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:29 p.m.
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So far, I'm planning on voting for Rep. Knilans again. I think he will be be better for Wisconsin small business growth and Wisconsin gun owner's rights. I am concerned, though, that he hasn't publicly announced the specifics of the reason he canceled out of the first debate. His campaign manager should be all over his case for not publicly explaining the details.
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:08 p.m.
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Paul Ryan: Before being nominated for VP he had won the republican primary. Wisconsin law keeps him on the ballot so he has no choice. Wisconsin is in play for the presidential election. I feel a debate here in Wisconsin is a good way to get his talking points across her in the state. Ask yourself what would the papers read if he didn't show? Joe Knilans: I'm bothered by people that back out of commitments with out good reason. Then wonder what the big deal is. Having said that, there are three more debates coming up. Lets face it all three debates will be the same questions with little differences between them. Its not a big deal to me just annoying.
Oct 3, 2012 at 7:23 p.m.
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Joe doesn't walk the walk. Joe doesn't want to talk. Joe can't do the simplest part and most important part of his job. Looks like No Show Joe is at it again! or should I say, No Show Knilans? Better yet lets just solve the problem with - NO Knilans!
Oct 3, 2012 at 7:16 p.m.
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What's more important to him? If V.P. is then don't run for Congress.
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.
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There's no reason for Paul to debate Mr. Zerban...none whatsoever....if Mr. Zerban actually had substance to discuss even maybe....Con. Ryan is pretty busy running for that tiny office of VP as well as running for the 1st Con. District....his district is a safe one and his opponent has shown no need to have a debate...
Oct 3, 2012 at 5:06 p.m.
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Sure he running for Vice President but he is also running for Congress. Should he be given a pass because he is busy? I don't think so.
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