Mitchell says debate is not in his best interest

The following letter from Phil Mitchell was sent to the Daily Inter Lake editorial board declining a request to appear at a debate with Stacy Schnebel, his Democratic opponent for county commissioner in the November election.

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I appreciate and am honored by the consideration and invitation you have given me regarding a possible October debate for the general election county commissioner race. I have given serious thought to your invitation and have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to decline the debate invitation at this time. My time is very limited because I am busy meeting with individuals and groups continuously, fund-raising and putting up my campaign signs in order to get my conservative Republican, pro-business, pro-freedom message out.  

I do not see a valid reason for me to debate my Democratic opponent at this time because I have clearly stated what I stand for. I stand for Individual freedom, protecting private property rights, supporting all businesses, utilizing our natural resources, protecting our water rights, and I am a proud member of the National Rifle Association and believe we must protect our right to keep and bear arms.

I have a long record of public service in which I have shown that I fight hard for the pro-business, pro-freedom platform I believe in. I have fought hard for protecting private property rights, fought hard for representation of Whitefish doughnut residents, fought hard against excessive regulations, fought hard to keep government spending in check.

My record speaks for itself; there is no debate as to where I stand. Anyone can check my previous public service record and see that it is a conservative Republican pro-freedom record.

It is also abundantly clear where Democrats like my opponent stand, because we have all seen firsthand what Democrats stand for after six years of Obama leading their party. Obama has made it clear to all of us that Democrats are anti-property rights, anti-gun, pro open borders, pro-amnesty for illegal aliens, anti-business, opposed to utilizing our natural resources, in favor of burdensome regulations on people and business, and are in favor of ever expanding government into every aspect of our lives.

 So there is no debate that there is a clear choice. If you believe in the Obama Democrat big-government agenda, vote for my opponent; if you believe in my conservative Republican, pro-freedom, conservative platform, vote for me.

Phil Mitchell, of Whitefish, is the Republican candidate for Flathead County Commissioner.