ABC13 Mayoral Debate Tuesday: Will Locke Be a No Show?

Since Locke was a no show on the Red, White and Blue mayoral runoff show, you have to wonder if he'll show up for the three scheduled televised debates. The first one is this Tuesday, December 1st on ABC13, at 8 PM. You can email Ch. 13 the questions you would like asked by filling in the form at this link.

I have questions:

1. Why were you a no show for Red, White and Blue? You must have had a good reason to let Parker have 30 minutes of free TV. Were you afraid Polland, the Republican host, would call you out on Hotze? Well, he did, anyway, saying this:

My question that I would like to ask Gene is . . . how bad to you want to win? Do you want to win so bad that you are going to get involved with people you would NEVER have gotten involved in?"

Polland's questions are my questions, as well.

2. When are you going to repudiate Hotze's endorsement of you? It's been a day and a half since bloggers started posting the Hotze mailer on the internet. Costelllo repudiated it right away. Is it because you got yourself in a no-win situation since you met with him and asked for his endorsement? Why is it not hypocritical for you to tell GLBT groups in endorsement screenings that you will be "very visible in advocating for gay rights," while at the same time seeking and accepting the endorsement of someone who is virulently anti-gay?

3. Are you ever going to answer these questions about your conflict of interest being a lawyer lobbyist for Andrews Kurth, charging the City of Houston $640/hour to represent the interests of the Sports Authority, the Port Authority and Metro? You appear to be deliberately avoiding these questions:

What is your divestment and payout plan with Andrews Kurth? Will Andrews Kurth's future income affect the size of your payout? Will you retain any interest in a pension or retirement plan or any other interest tied to the income of Andrews Kurth?

Will you enter in to a legally binding agreement to never have any association, financial interest or relationship with Andrews Kurth after you leave office?

Will you recuse yourself from all matters involving clients of Andrews Kurth including with Metro, the Sports Authority and the Port Authority?

Steve Costello, in an ABC interview, said he will not have his firm bid on any city contracts if he is elected. Will you do the same - not have Andrews Kurth bid on any city contract if you are elected?

4. Why are you misleading voters about Parker in your latest TV ad? See the fact checking here and then back up your claims.

If anyone has other questions for Locke, leave them in the comments. I think he's going to have a tough time facing the truth with Parker standing right beside him, and the media asking questions. That is, if he shows up.