Camille Andrews a No-Show at Town Hall Debate

Congressional candidates invited
to town hall debate in Blackwood;
Glading appears, Andrews a no-show

BARRINGTON – Dale Glading, candidate for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 1st District, was the sole participant in a town hall debate held last night at the First Baptist Church in Blackwood. His opponent, Camille Andrews, failed to appear at the debate and refused to acknowledge her invitation by a respected member of the South Jersey community.

“GOP candidate debates solo,” The Courier-Post, Richard Pearsall, July 1, 2008
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/NEWS01/807010362/1006

"An invitation was sent to both candidates, but Ms. Andrews did not respond," David L. McMurray, the pastor at First Baptist said, referring to Camille Andrews, the wife of the congressman and the nominal Democratic candidate for his seat. "You will have to make your own conclusions about that."

Camille Andrews could not be reached for comment Monday.
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Putting the congressman's "batting average" at getting bills passed at ".002" Glading characterized the Democrat from Haddon Heights as ineffective and out of touch and contended that Andrews' wife -- "or whoever the Democrats decide to run in her place" -- will only provide more of the same.
…
Both Rob and Camille Andrews said in April that they want a fair and open process to pick his successor.

What has transpired in the intervening three months has not been open.

“I am disappointed, but not surprised,” said Glading. “It was one thing for Camille Andrews to refuse to respond to my challenge, but to refuse to even acknowledge an invitation from a respected member of the community is inexcusable. It smacks of the kind of arrogance that is unbefitting of someone seeking public office.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the town hall meeting last night, and I am looking forward to many more,” Glading added. “It’s time we had a representative in Congress who listened to the people and shared their priorities. I’m going to be that representative when I’m elected this November.”

“The incumbent has mailed it in for the past 11 years,” Glading continued. “Rob Andrews has been tired of the 1st District since 1997, when he first decided to move on and run for higher office. Ever since then, he has put it on autopilot and failed to represent his constituents. It’s time we had someone who really cares about the people rather than his own political ambitions.”

“The people of this district simply can’t take any more of this abuse,” Glading concluded. “The Andrews-Norcross machine believes your taxes are too low, your government is too small, and you don’t know how to run your own life. Well, they’re wrong, and the people of this district won’t stand for it any longer.”