Biz Journals: Via Twitter, Blumenauer proposes debate with George Will

From Biz Journals:

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer has challenged Newsweek columnist George Will to a duel. A duel of words, that is.  Blumenauer, a Portland Democrat, took offense to Will’s criticism of Portland in the current issue of Newsweek. Blumenauer wants to debate Will in Portland.  In his column, Will wrote about Portland, "Its government has been, intermittently, as progressive as all get-out, trying to use zoning, light-rail projects and high-density housing to cool the planet by curbing automobile use. This sort of ‘New Urbanism' is metastasizing."  Will's column also criticized Ray LaHood, the new Transportation secretary, for his newfound support for mass transit and light rail.  Responded Blumenauer, “In Newsweek: it’s Lahood that gets it. George Will doesn’t. It’s about ‘choices,’ not behavior modification. In Portland the ‘P word’ is ‘Progress.’ There’s one way to find out, Mr. Will, come to Portland and we’ll debate — what you write and what you see.”