2014 Alabama Governor's race: on Principles & Values

Parker Griffith: 20-foot inflatable duck: Bentley is "ducking" the debates

Griffith's camp accused Bentley of bad faith negotiating and fear of an open discussion of the issues. The Democratic nominee has been pushing the debate issue hard in recent weeks. Late last month, Griffith made stops around the state with a 20-foot high duck--symbolic, he said, of the governor "ducking" a forensic contest with him. The inflatable waterfowl sparked high-level discussions between the campaigns. But the camps disagreed over what sunk the debate.

Bentley had expressed a willingness to debate Griffith after his primary victory on June 3. In his statement Monday, the governor said "my opponent's actions prove he has no interest in such civil political discourse." A spokesperson noted, "What's different is our opponent is carrying an inflatable duck around the state."

Robert Bentley: Refuses to debate, after promising to debate post-primaries

Late last month, Griffith made stops around the state with a 20-foot high duck--symbolic, he said, of the governor "ducking" a forensic contest with him.

Bentley had expressed a willingness to debate Griffith after his primary victory on June 3. In his statement Monday, the governor said he once had hopes for a "civil conversation" on the issues. "My opponent's actions prove he has no interest in such civil political discourse, making any debate with him meaningless in helping people make up their mind in this election."

A spokesperson said the only reason for the governor getting away from the debate was Griffith's actions. Asked how Griffith's comments were different [from other campaigning], she replied, "What's different about this is our opponent is carrying an inflatable duck around the state.

Robert Bentley: We are endowed with certain Freedoms by our Creator