Cross posted on my campaign blog.

We had the first of three debates between myself and my two primary opponents last night. I thought the debate went well. The questions were quite canned and the format did not allow for rebuttal statements. I will have video of the debate online sometime this week hopefully.

After the debate is a different story. We gathered outside the auditorium after the debate and all chatted amongst friends. My supporters were on one side of the room and Teresa Bratton's on the other. I started toward the car with a few of my staff members. I turned to see the rest of my caravan not behind us. What was going on was not the news I wanted to hear. I have from a good 10 witnesses that Bratton's husband approached my father and asked him to reconsider his support of me. My father told him that he supports me 100%, as if that would be a question, and asked him to leave him alone. Bratton's husband and my father exchanged words and Bratton's husband leaned in and bumped chests with my father. Now that said, my father is an old school Italian who has been fighting diabetes and a chronic heart condition. He can not walk long distances due to wounds on his legs from the diabetes. Conditions or not, if I was not running for elected office we would talking about how dad won a physical altercation last night. He thought better of it and pulled himself back as not to hurt my campaign.

What happened last night was a lack of respect and an infringement of personal space on the behalf of Bratton's husband. His thugary was uncivil at best and way out of line. He should realize quickly, for the good of his wife, that his actions effect her campaign. My father was minding his own business and having friendly conversations when approached with arrogance. It is clear to see who was at fault and I do not blame my father for defending himself.

All three candidates have remained as civil as opponents can in a race. That can change quickly if need be. I would prefer that we have spirited conversations and debates on the issues and that be our battle. Fear mongering and intimidation are Republican ploys, which are sometimes used by establishment candidates in the Democratic party. In this instance the later is the case. An establishment candidate using intimidation as a campaign stunt. I do not appreciate it and I will not stand by and let it happen. Really, is this High School? Do you really want to pull the "meet me at the water fountain at 3 o'clock" stunt?

I also find it funny that a good deal of my message and platform has been pilfered by Bratton. A message and platform that has been actively online since November of 2007. It doesn't surprise me. If a platform was to stolen it should be the right one, shouldn't it? The exception to this being health care, a field in which she works. She has her own view on that.

I spoke with Bratton this morning and let her know that her husband was out of line. That my camp was civil and I expect her camp to be as well. I told her to reign in her husband. She has assured me that there will be no further incidents and that her husband will stay clear of my father. I will hold her to that.

I look forward to more spirited debates and would hope they will include rebuttal statements. The voters deserve more than canned questions about the Democratic platform. I fully expect and want to hear tough questions. I am fully prepared to answer those tough questions as well.

I'll get the debate video up ASAP. Until then, thank you for your continued support.