August 8, 2013 3:35 PM

RATLIFF AGREES TO DEBATE BUT SUGGESTS MOVING IT FROM CAMPAIGN VENUE TO UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM

Wants to shift focus from campaign event to a policy discussion between two elected officials

State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff has agreed to a discussion of CSCOPE with Senator Dan Patrick but has suggested some changes in format. He said in a statement, "First and foremost, I’m in. I look forward to a thoughtful and detailed policy discussion/debate with Senator Patrick, not an exchange of sound bites with candidate Patrick."

Ratliff continues, "Unfortunately, Mr. Blakemore, Senator Patrick’s political consultant, has his facts wrong. It was the Senator who said he would debate anytime, anywhere (check his Facebook post). I replied by saying I look forward to the Senator’s thoughts about time, place and format. The Senator’s press release is the first I’ve heard. As is the Senator’s custom, he issues a press release and lets others work out the details and/or manage the fallout. In this case, we need a moderator, a format, and, I believe, a different venue.
Ratliff proposes a panel discussion moderated by Quorum Report's Scott Braddock and including a local school superintendent as well as local Tea Party leader JoAnn Fleming.

By Harvey Kronberg