Politics & Government

Tierney Blasts Tisei's Patch Chat

The congressman accuses his opponent of being evasive.

There was a lot of discussion among our readers after Most people who commented afterward seemed to think he did well and at least answered questions quickly and candidly. But there is one person definitely not impressed — his opponent, Congressman John Tierney.

In a statement issued this week, Tierney blasted Tisei's Patch performance, accusing him of dodging important questions and issues. It singles out the GOP congressional budget known as the "Ryan Plan" as well as several social issues.

"The simple fact is that Richard Tisei continues to downplay his support for the Republican agenda in Washington. He has said that he wants this campaign to be about the issues," the press release reads. "That presents a challenge for Tisei, because he will not talk about the issues people care about."

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Tisei did actually answer questions about the Ryan Plan (he has not taken a difinitive stand on it but says it it a good starting point) and abortion, among many other issues.

The press release, in its entirety, reads as follows:

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Friday Richard Tisei participated in an online chat at . Voters asked questions on very important issues and Tisei dodged questions about his support for the radical agenda of Congressional Republicans.

Tisei was asked if he would support the Ryan Budget, which ends Medicare. Tisei tried to hide his support for the plan by cutting and pasting NRCC talking points. He would only admit that he thought the Ryan Plan was “a good start.” However, Tisei has already praised the Ryan Republican Budget and its approach, gone to receive personal training on it from it’s author, Paul Ryan, taken the maximum legal campaign contribution from Paul Ryan, and benefited from a lavish Washington fundraiser thrown by Ryan and his “Young Guns” Tea Party leadership.

If Tisei were in Congress to vote on the budget he would have either voted with the Young Guns to pass the Ryan Budget or voted with Congressman Tierney in favor of the Democratic alternative. Tisei, a 26-year legislator, knows how legislation gets voted on and yet would not answer very basic questions.

A Patch reader wrote in about the paycheck fairness legislation being considered by congress, and again Tisei could not provide a substantive answer. On a very important issue that affects women across the country, Richard Tisei that he needs to study the issue.

During the chat, Tisei was asked if he supports federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Instead of giving a simple Yes or No answer, Tisei dodged the question, and would not say if he supports Planned Parenthood and stand up for abortion rights.

The simple fact is that Richard Tisei continues to downplay his support for the Republican agenda in Washington. He has said that he wants this campaign to be about the issues. That presents a challenge for Tisei, because he will not talk about the issues people care about. Members of Congress have to give a Yes or No vote on legislation, including the Ryan Budget.

“Instead of answering these important questions, Tisei tried to hide.  When it comes to equal pay, a women’s right to choose, and the Ryan Budget, voters know where John Tierney stands. Voters in the 6th District deserve to know where Tisei stands. Mr. Tisei claims to be a moderate, but what he won’t tell you is that he stands with a right-wing congress that is just plain wrong on these issues,” said Grant Herring the Tierney campaign communications director. “With John Tierney you know what you get: a fighter for middle-class families, a commitment to protect Medicare, and a supporter of women’s health.”


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