2012 Michigan Senate Debates: on Principles & Values

Debbie Stabenow: End the ongoing debate over debates: No Senate debates

Stabenow had accepted debate invitations at the Detroit Economic Club and Grand Valley State University, which have held U.S. Senate debates in recent Michigan election cycles. Hoekstra said he wanted debates with more exposure. Neither campaign had accepted the same debate offer, leaving the two campaigns without agreement as the Nov. 6 election approaches. Each campaign has blamed the other for the impasse.

Earlier this week, the Stabenow campaign had said Hoekstra was playing games with the debate issue and that his "antics certainly don't reflect that of someone who actually wants to hold debates."

Peter Hoekstra: I will either debate her or an empty chair; it's her choice

Stabenow had accepted debate invitations at the Detroit Economic Club and Grand Valley State University, which have held U.S. Senate debates in recent Michigan election cycles. Hoekstra said he wanted debates with more exposure.

Hoekstra responded with a comment issued through his campaign: "Michigan families should be appalled that Debbie Stabenow is attempting to cancel all debates." Hoekstra said "she clearly now feels that she can't defend her record."

Hoekstra plans to attend what his campaign called a health care debate in Lansing--but he likely will be the only candidate in attendance. Hoekstra said: "I will either debate her or an empty chair. It is her choice

Peter Hoekstra: Accused of anti-Chinese racism in Super Bowl TV ad

Actress Lisa Chan, who portrayed the young Asian woman in the ad, apologized via Facebook last week for her role. Hoekstra did not address Clark's accusations or his television ad, which has since been replaced. Pete Hoekstra's Super Bowl advertisement featured a bike-riding Chinese woman thanking incumbent Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow (called Spend-it-now in the promo) in broken English for helping support deficit spending that is aiding the Chinese economy. The ad received national criticism from both sides of the aisle.