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Sheriff Declines Debate Invite

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By LISA A. DAVIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

The two Republican candidates for Pasco County sheriff will not meet in a gentleman's duel of sorts despite the challenger calling out his former boss.

Sheriff Bob White said Thursday that he won't accept the invitation Robert Sullivan extended this week for three debates before the primary election Aug. 26.

White said his schedule is already too busy and debates would be a "waste of time."

"I don't see a need to do that," the incumbent said. "I'm answering the citizens' questions every single day."

Sullivan, who retired as head of the sheriff's vice and narcotics unit in November, said the no-debate mentality goes against GOP principles.

"He just slapped John McCain in the face," Sullivan said. "You want the people to know. You want the people to ask the questions and get answers."

White said Sullivan's challenge is a sign of a weak candidate.

"It's typically the request of a candidate who has no money or no support," White said.

The sheriff has raised $136,876; Sullivan has $10,460.

"Money isn't going to win this election," Sullivan said: It's about who reaches voters.

"The sheriff will probably wallpaper the county with his signs and his television ads, but it doesn't mean his message is more poignant."

Since Sullivan announced his candidacy, he has challenged his former boss on numerous policies and programs, including take-home cars and honorary deputies.

His complaint against the honorary deputy program is that they could abuse a badge. Sullivan also said it's a waste of money to allow off-duty employees to use agency vehicles.

As of June 1, White banned take-home cars for most of his employees and said the policy change was in the works before Sullivan made it an issue.

"As you have probably deduced at this point, we have a few differing viewpoints on philosophical and operational issues," Sullivan wrote in his debate challenge to White.

The sheriff said he's taking his bid for a third term seriously and already is doing what he needs to do. What he doesn't need is to have Sullivan proposing debates.

"He needs to run his campaign," White said, "and I need to run mine."

Three other men are vying for the job: Democrats Kim Bogart, a former sheriff's office captain, and Jeff Deremer, an officer with the Florida Department of Corrections' Bureau of Probation and Parole; and Bobby Kinzy, a retired TECO employee and Vietnam veteran who lists no party.

The qualifying period to get on the primary election ballot ends at noon today.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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