BY GARY B. GRAY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
High temperatures Saturday caused Carter County Republican Pig Roast planners to move the microphones from a concrete-covered stage to a spot beneath a shade tree.
The change didn’t necessarily raise the candidates’ comfort level, however.
Republican challenger Phil Roe called out incumbent U.S. Rep David Davis, telling him, “Let’s go. You’re here. I’m here. Let’s debate the issues,” Roe told the Herald Courier on Monday.
The Republican candidates let the fur fly in front of an estimated 500 witnesses at Sycamore Shoals State Park, said Tara Thomas, Carter County Republican Party board executive.
“It was hot Saturday – and interesting,” she said. “Political events usually are.”
Roe took the microphone first, pulling out a pamphlet distributed by the Davis campaign, which accuses him of taking kickbacks from contractors that have won bids for road work in Johnson City.
Kingsport’s Lee Fish, who works for the Roe campaign, said she had a good view.
“Roe went over the pamphlet point by point, tearing down Davis’ accusation,” she said Monday. “Then, he called Davis out. He challenged him to a debate right then and there.”
Davis refused.
The congressman got his chance to fire back, although it appears he may have been somewhat preoccupied at the time.
“I’ve never seen a congressman shake like that,” Fish said of Davis holding the microphone. “It blew me away. I guess he was both scared and mad. Davis ignored the challenge, but he got feisty, too. A few minutes later, he was ushered away and into a car.”
On Monday, Roe was still fired up.
“Unfortunately, that didn’t lead to any serious debate,” he said. “I guess you live and learn. He got up and left me, the people and the pig.”
Jonesborough’s Gary Killebrew also was in attendance.
“Davis said Roe was lying by saying he [Davis] had pocketed money from PACs and special interests,” Killebrew said. “Roe pretty much told him ‘the way I grew up, when somebody calls you a liar, you go out back and settle it.’ ”
Attempts to reach Davis throughout the day Monday were unsuccessful. Davis has refused for weeks to answer any Herald Courier questions, by phone or in writing.
“He may have been there – and he may have got up and talked, but he did not address the issues,” Roe said. “And I’ve never been called a liar in my life.”
Meanwhile, state Rep. Kent Williams, who represents Carter County, also did a little sparring of his own – with an audience member.
Both Fish and Killebrew said a person in the crowd accused the state legislator of being a Democrat.
“He called the person ‘a liar’ and told him one time to ‘shut your mouth,’ ” Fish said.
The Carter County GOP plans to hold another event during the next election cycle, Thomas said.
“We offer the pig roast so we can come together as a party,” she added.
ggray@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512
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