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 hunger has almost disappeared except when there’s food around and TV ads and stuff. The Hometown Buffet commercial is one of the worst. They are an all-you-can-eat buffet,” said Mike Benoit, the libertarian candidate in the three-way race.
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.
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
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41193.html
That’s because the two congressional hopefuls have gone on hunger strike to demand a debate with Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).
“The hunger has almost disappeared except when there’s food around and TV ads and stuff. The Hometown Buffet commercial is one of the worst. They are an all-you-can-eat buffet,” said Mike Benoit, the libertarian candidate in the three-way race.
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.
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
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41193.html