Two Democratic Congressional Candidates Go On Hunger Strikes

I love the smell of desperation in the morning.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) was probably embarrassed when a student protester shoved a pie into his face, but two California candidates might have wanted just deserts.

That's because the two congressional hopefuls have gone on hunger strike to demand a debate with Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).

...

The strike started with Democrat Ray Lutz, who said he got the idea from former California Rep. Jim Bates. Benoit immediately joined in. The pair are on their fifth day of a hunger strike they started at sundown on Aug. 12.

They want Hunter to join them in a series of debates beginning on Aug. 25. Hunter has agreed to debate Lutz and Benoit — but not until October.

"My hope is that he holds out and doesn't expire before October because that's when we're going to debate him, and we've told him that several times," said Dave Gilliard, a spokesman for Hunter.

Heh.

So far, Lutz has had a rough ride: He's missed 17 meals, lost 14 pounds, taken an enema to avoid toxic shock, talked to a doctor who recommended a salt-water purge, given up exercise and is so tired he has resorted to napping during the day.

These guys.

He's already announced he will not allow himself to die of hunger which sort of takes the whole point out of the hunger strike.

I should note that while Drudge has this headlined "Two DEM candidates" one of them is identified in the article as a Libertarian. I figure he's really a Democrat, so I'll go with Drudge.

Thanks to alamo.

posted by Ace at 02:30 PM

| Access Comments