See Billy. See Billy Run. See Billy Run Away. Run Away, Billy, Run Away. Billy Long Runs Away From Debate Invite From KOLR

This is a photo of Billy Long running. Look at the determination in his face. We can tell he is serious about running. Can you see what he is thinking? "Lift left foot, move it forward at the hip, place foot on pavement. Now I got remember what I did and do it with the right foot, and I gots to do it fast. Oh man, all this hard work makes me hungry. Let's eat!"(Ok, this is a photo of Billy Long attempting to run. Ok, this is a photo of Billy Long walking but if you squint your eyes, it sort of looks like he's running. To see Billy walk really fast, watch the video below.)

The race to replace Roy Blunt get more interesting with each passing day.

Frequent bus riders will recall that one of the candidates has dodged debates before. Trying to pass off questions and answers at a candidate forum ain't gonna cut it.

Billy Long is running away from something. You can't hide that anymore. Watch Billy run away from Eli Yokely just as he's running away from Scott Eckersley, just as he's running away from the debates. Run,Billy Long, run.

It is one thing to first accept, then spin it and then back out of a debate challenge issued by your opponent, it is one thing to pass your twittering off as a discussion of the issues, it is one thing to try turn this election into a three ring circus featuring you and Bozo the Clown".

Some of us take this democracy stuff seriously Billy, even if you don't.

A couple of days ago I posted "How would you like to debate me, it's gonna be fun.

All shucks, jollies and grins. Yes, how in the purple permission did it come to this? It is one thing to ignore a couple of bloggers, one on the left side of the aisle and the other on the right side of the aisle--- we're not MSM, but these guys are:

(Springfield, MO) -- When it comes to the 7th U.S. Congressional District race, the only real debate we're seeing is when and where to debate.

And there are only 70 days until Election Day, so time's running out.

At first, Republican Billy Long appeared to accept Democrat Scott Eckersley's invitation to debate on the courthouse steps in every county in the district.

Eventually, Long backed out, disagreeing with the format. With time ticking away, there's still no debate -- yet.

Throughout history, political debates have resulted in the most memorable moments of all time.

But when it comes to 7th U.S. Congressional District voters making a choice, they want to hear from the candidates.

"If you have a debate, they have to say what they're thinking about at the time of the debate," says voter Toni Storch.

"Billy Long has made it very clear that we're very open to discuss debates," says Long spokesman James Harris.

"It's obviously clear that there's one candidate in this race who wants to discuss what's important to folks, and who wants to learn and listen and there's one who doesn't," says Eckersley.

But will it happen? Will Republican Billy Long and Democrat Scott Eckersley go at it?

"Meeting at noon at the courthouse steps really doesn't work for many voters here in Southwest Missouri," says Harris. "People are working, taking care of their families, in school."

"If they're on the courthouse steps, I want to be there," one voter tells KOLR/KSFX.

Be it radio, television, newspaper -- the two claim they're ready to talk. They just can't agree on how to talk.

"What we're not going to participate in is some type of media gimmick," says Harris.

"I'll go so far as to say my opponent is a gimmick," says Eckersley.

Regardless of whether they debate long distance --

"I put most everything I had into this race because I didn't want to depend on special interest dollars like my opponent," says Eckersley.

-- or face to face --

"Scott Eckersley will be a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi," says Harris.

-- on Election Day, the voice that speaks the loudest will be the voters.

"If you're not ready to step into the fire, you'd better step out," says a voter.

For the record, KOLR/KSFX talked to Libertarian candidate Kevin Craig Tuesday. He says if Long and Eckersley decide on a debate, he'd be happy to be a part of it.

To all of the campaigns, KOLR/KSFX extends this offer: call our newsroom at (417) 862-6397. We will sponsor a debate in our studios.

To our viewers, stay tuned. We will tell you Tuesday on KOLR10 News at Six whether the candidates are willing to debate.

Has anyone else noticed that whenever Billy Long gets cornered, he trots out Nancy Pelosi? Is he in love with her or what?*

*It's 'or what'. A frequent bus rider comments, "Because that's what misogynistic, insecure Republican types do. I see it regularly. Find an aggressive, "threatening" female in political power and make her a target."