NO DEBATE: U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (right) has declined a statewide TV debate with challenger Scott Ellington.

  • NO DEBATE: U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (right) has declined a statewide TV debate with challenger Scott Ellington.

Oldest story in politics — underfunded challenger says entrenched incumbent awash in money is dodging debates.

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Today, it’s Democrat Scott Ellington, the Jonesboro prosecutor, challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford to more debates.

Crawford has agreed to participate in one debate, at Arkansas State University, but no debate has been scheduled there yet, so, for now, that one is theoretical. Crawford has flatly declined to appear in a debate with Ellington on AETN, which broadcasts statewide, or at a proposed event in Stuttgart, heart of farm country that hasn’t fared so well with Republicans in control of the House. The ASU event would appear on the campus TV station, carried on cable in Jonesboro and Bay. AETN will continue with its debate, featuring Ellington and Green and Libertarian candidates.

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Crawford, with an enormous advantage in money, including whatever “independent” money is deemed necessary by GOP fat cats, is loathe to give Ellington any free time, much less where side-by-side comparisons could be made.

Ellington release follows:

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