McGraw
Morrisey
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw continues to rebuke challenger Patrick Morrisey's request to debate.
"The Attorney General has a job mandated by the West Virginia Constitution and the Legislature to enforce the law and to represent the state of West Virginia in enforcement of the law," he said Tuesday. "Any debate would revolve around law enforcement, and I believe law enforcement and politics should not be mixed.
"I don't think it's good policy to mix law enforcement and politics."
After a McGraw press conference Tuesday to announce lawsuits filed against 14 "pill mill" distributors, his Republican opponent issued a press release again criticizing the long-serving Democrat.
"Attorney General McGraw has proven time and again that he's more interested in reading prepared talking points and grandstanding than having a meaningful discussion on the issues that matter to West Virginians," Morrisey said in his statement. "He refuses to debate or answer substantive questions and has failed to combat prescription drug abuse during his 20-year tenure in office.
"West Virginia deserves an Attorney General who will be personally involved in the direction of the office and who will be a leader on prescription drug abuse."
Morrisey has asked McGraw to debate several times since the primary election.
He has sent at least two letters to McGraw requesting debates before the Nov. 6 general election. He has expressed flexibility regarding the time, date, format and location of the debates. He even suggested finding sponsors for the debate and giving the proceeds to charities.
