EINPresswire.com<\/a>\/ — The setting was the important and respected Atlanta Press Club\/Loudermilk-Young Debate Series, hosted at the television studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta.<\/p>\nThe purpose of the debate was for news panelist and a moderator from the media to elicit responses from Congressional candidates Wayne Johnson and Charles \u201cChuck\u201d Hand about issues important to voters. Just as the program got under way, \u201cHand, simply walked out on his job interview without answering or even acknowledging a single question,\u201d said a member of the production crew present at the time. The production crew camera member went on to say that \u201che had been producing these debates for a long time and had never witnessed such bizarre behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson, the leading run-off candidate on the stage with his opponent, said, \u201cit was a great surprise to everyone present, especially to the moderator, interview panelist, me as the debate opponent and even to the production crew, when Mr. Hand avoided answering any debate questions and instead read a prepared statement saying he did not think it worthy of him to have to be there to discuss issues, and then stormed off the stage in anger, refusing to even acknowledge to the moderator that he was leaving. He certainly did not stick around to hear rebuttal to his over-the-top aggressive and unsubstantiated statements.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStorming out of an important job interview over a fabricated personal grievance is strange behavior in any situation. That a candidate for Congress, whose campaign is centered around the theme of being a working man who wants to be \u201chired by the people of Southwest Georgia\u201d to do the job of a congressman, would brazenly and theatrically walk out on a panel of seasoned and responsible journalist, without answering a single question, does not show confidence in standing up to expected challenges regarding qualifications and policy positions, or even the traditional \u2018heat of being a member of Congress,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n
Johnson emphasized that Mr. Hand just walked out on the most important job interview of his life, in front of GPB cameras and thousands of viewers who tune in to see, hear and evaluate candidates to represent them in Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Direct reporting of this occurrence also came from Greg Bluestein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who wrote, \u201cCharles \u2018Chuck\u2019 Hand, a Republican U.S. House candidate who was convicted and served federal prison time for taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot that mobbed the U.S. Capitol, and whom has previously also been charged with criminal trespass and DUI, stormed off the stage Sunday minutes into an Atlanta Press Club debate.\u201d<\/p>\n
AJC political reporter Bluestein highlighted and confirmed in his reporting that Hand\u2019s pre-planned, theatrically staged statement and exit was conducted upon Hand ignoring to answer or even acknowledge a question from an interview panelist about a proposed federal farm bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is astoundingly clear to all that Mr. Hand accepted the invitation from the Atlanta Press Club and GPB solely for the purpose of using this forum for creating political theater to provoke the press into giving attention to Hand\u2019s ongoing whining about always being a victim of some sort,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cHand is weak and shallow on issues of substance that are important to voters; but he is a master of \u2018bluster\u2019 and \u2018bravado.\u2019 These are classic aspects of a confidence man\u2019s \u2018Big Con Show\u2019 which Hand has been putting on since he first entered this race for Congress. Endeavoring to be a member of Congress is serious and responsible business and should be respected as such.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson summed up his thoughts by saying, \u201cI have confidence in the voters of Middle and Southwest Georgia and trust they will determine that I am the right man, at the right time, with the right experience, and with the seriousness to unseat 32-year term incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop and be in a position to provide the type of congressional service that people deserve and are entitled to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Run-off Election Day is June 18. Early voting runs from Monday through Friday of this week, June 10 until Jun 14.<\/p>\n
Every vote is important. Wayne Johnson is respectfully asking that you trust him with your vote. Each vote is especially important in a run-off election due to historically low turnout for such elections. This is a time when each vote is amplified.<\/p>\n
Johnson is a lifelong resident of Macon, a father, grandfather, farmer, and successful businessman who established businesses in Middle and Southwest Georgia, other parts of Georgia and internationally. He is an ardent supporter of 2nd Amendment rights and is a serious gun owner. Johnson obtained his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Mercer University and his master\u2019s in business from Emory University.<\/p>\n
www.JohnsonCongress.com<\/a><\/p>\nCampaign
Wayne Johnson for Congress, Inc.
+1 478-739-4196
media@johnsoncongress.com<\/p>\n
GPB-TV Atlanta Press Club Debate among primary runoff candidates (Chuck Hand, Wayne Johnson) for Congressional District Two (R). <\/p>\n
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