Lamont Challenges Lieberman To Fourth Debate, JOE DECLINES!!!

[98geoduck]

5:03 PM EDT, October 27, 2006
Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. -- Behind in the polls with time running short, Democrat Ned Lamont is calling for another debate with Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The three-term senator, who enjoys a double-digit lead in the latest statewide polls, is turning a cold shoulder.

Lamont on Friday pressed Lieberman to debate for a fourth time in the final days of what has often been a testy race. Both sides have spent heavily on TV attack ads.

"We understand that Senator Lieberman doesn't like to defend his record of supporting stay the course, missing over 400 votes and having Connecticut fall to 49th out of 50th in return on federal dollars," Lamont spokeswoman Liz Dupont-Diehl said in a statement. "But this is what a campaign is about and the voters deserve to hear from the candidates."

The Lieberman camp said Friday it would not participate...."

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-27163350.apds.m0489.bc-ct--connoct27,0,5393485.story?coll=hc-headlines-home


I find this UNBELIEVABLE, especially when LIEberman AGREED to further debates in front of the cameras and a public audience at the last debate.

[demwing]

1. Of course he wont debate

He's got a double digit lead. A debate is just an opportunity to blow his lead.

[Dr Fate]

2. Lamont should provide a time & date and show up.

Then when Joe does not show, put out the meme: "Why is Joe afraid to debate the facts?"

[Temporary1]

7. He should debate the third parties and Republican

Debate whoever he can; make joe look like a coward.

[0rganism]

3. an incumbent with a solid lead declining a debate? no surprise there

What Lamont (and Schlesinger (I think that's his name), if he gives a crap at this point) should do is hold a "3-way" debate, put a life-size cardboard cutout of Holy Joe behind one of the podiums, and just let it run. Give the cardboard Joe time for opening/closing statements and rebuttals.

[NOLADEM]

4. Why would he? NO ONE with a lead this close to an election would risk it

This means nothing other than that the Lieberman campaign didn't fuck up this particular decision. Nothing more.

[Dr Fate]

5. Let him say that if that is his excuse. n/t

n/t

[98geoduck]

6. Looks like they're holding a debate, with or without Joe Blowhard.....

"This just in from the Lamont campaign:" per CTBob...
"Lamont Accepts Invitation for Fourth Debate
This just in from the Lamont campaign:

(STATEWIDE) – Today, Democratic Nominee for US Senate Ned Lamont accepted an invitation to attend another US Senate debate. It will be held next Thursday evening, November 2nd, and will be sponsored by Fox 61 WTIC-TV and the Hartford Courant. The debate will be broadcast live from Quinnipiac College in Hamden, and again several times before the election on November 7th.

“We are looking forward to another opportunity to debate the issues openly so the voters of Connecticut can make an informed decision on who they want to represent them in the US Senate,” said Liz Dupont-Diehl, Communications Director for the Lamont Campaign. “We hope that both of Ned’s opponents will join him.”

Republican Nominee Alan Schlesinger has also accepted the invitation. The sponsors will allow the debate to proceed whether or not Senator Lieberman accept."

http://ctbob.blogspot.com/


I, personally, hope they both spend the majority of time focusing on how much DAMAGE Lieberman has done to this state and country.

[Boston Critic]

8. Unbelievable?

Why? Candidates who are behind always ask for more debates. Candidates who are ahead almost always refuse them. One of the rare example to the contrary was when Ford said he's debate Carter when he accepted the nomination in '76. And look where it got him.

Of course if, as you said, Lieberman was on the record agreeing to another debate, there's reason to attack him for cowardice now. Althought I have to wonder if a Lamont/Schelesinger debate doesn't play into Lieberman's hands, letting him argue that if the "extremists" on either end are against him he must be doing something right.

[98geoduck]

9. Just more Lies from Joe. I won't expect to have the press hold him to account though...

"Ned Lamont and Alan Schlesinger have agreed to a fourth debate on Nov. 2nd at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. Joe Lieberman, who on the stage at the Oct. 23rd debate said that he wished there were more debates, has declined.

Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger, meanwhile, have accepted an invitation to a fourth debate Thursday, but Lieberman declined. His press secretary, Tammy Sun, said the campaign was sticking to the agreement to hold three debates.

It was unclear whether the debate at Quinnipiac University, which would be televised live by WTIC-TV, Channel 61, would go forward without Lieberman.

Being a minor party candidate, his decision to not participate won’t preclude the debate from going forward. Despite what the Courant article cited above says, as noted on the official Ned Lamont blog:

Let me be clear, this debate will proceed whether or not Joe Lieberman accepts the invitation. We do, however, expect Joe to attend since he gave every indication he was willing to continue debating when Alan Schlesinger raised the question infront of a live television audience at the third debate last week."

http://www.spazeboy.net/