The primaries for the US Senate seat vacated when John Kerry became Secretary of State are on April 30. We’ll post a poll for the Republican candidates later. Here’s you chance to weigh in on the two Democrats: Congressmen Steve Lynch and Ed Markey.
[polldaddy poll=”7024863″]
I have a problem with Markey refusing to debate. I am undecided right now, but it always bothers me when a politician refuses to debate the as many times as allowed.
He did a debate this week (his second or third?) and has, I believe, two more before the primary. How is that refusing?
BOSTON– U.S. Rep. and candidate for U.S. Senate Ed Markey continued to refuse to a debate on Fox 25 News, even though his opponent has said he’d do it.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch told Fox 25’s Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti Wednesday that he’d be happy to debate Markey on Fox 25, even though the two already had a pre-set number of debates.
At a campaign stop in Lynn on Friday, Sacchetti asked Markey why he refused to debate Lynch or sit down with Fox 25 for an interview.
“We’ve had a negotiation with Steve Lynch over our debates and we’ve already completed those negotiations so it’s been a collaboration with him and it’s all set,” said Markey. “We’re going to be debating him four times. Three times in the next two weeks.”
“But not in front of Fox 25 viewers?” asked Sacchetti.
Markey continued to put up a wall.
“Well you know Steve and I have already reached an agreement about the four debates we’re going to have,” said Markey. “It was negotiated over a several week period. Steve and I agreed that that would be the schedule.”
“Congressman, you’re the candidate for Senate. You’re the frontrunner. You say it happens and it happens. You can make it happen,” said Sacchetti.
“Again, Steve and I have agreed to do four debates and I’m going to be debating him in all four corners of the state,” said Markey.
Markey then suggested that Fox 25 air another media outlet’s debate live with UMass college students asking questions of the 36-year veteran congressman, instead of seasoned journalists.
“You’re the only senate candidate who won’t come to our studios. I just don’t know why that is,” said Sacchetti.
“I welcome Fox to cover the Lowell debate live,” said Markey.
Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/21892564/markey-continues-to-stonewall-idea-of-fox-25-debate#ixzz2Q716F910
Not agreeing to do a Fox 25 debate doesn’t mean you refuse to debate.
In fact, arguably, it means you are smart.
What Greg said. Fox is not a real news channel and shouldn’t be respected as such.
As a non-incumbent I want my pols to debate anywhere at anytime. To have guts of their conviction, even in the enemy’s den. Lynch had no problem, it doesn’t make him dumber, just braver. I probably will vote for Markey, due to the fact I don’t like Lynch’s position on women’s rights, but it doesn’t make me have fuzzy feelings about him, thats all.
I got an opportunity to meet Markey in Northborough when I was campaigning for Governor’s Council and I liked him. At the time, Kerry’s promotion was all speculation and Markey wasn’t running, just an ordinary guy walking around with his enterage (sp?). Seemed nice enough, we spoke briefly.
Tom,
Lynch has nothing to lose. That’s not bravery. That’s the way he has to play it.
Kim,
Do you want your next dem candidate to be looked at, as if he is going to be the next Coakley. This is what Coakley did, she refused debates, she didn’t go and campaign as heavily as she could have, etc. If you want Mike Sullivan in office, then it’s Ok to allow both candidates to not go out 100%. They should be everywhere despite if they have anything to lose or not.
Markey doesn’t have anything to lose, either. The seats not his. Don’t encourage this type of campaigning. Write into his campaign.
Four debates sounds pretty reasonable to me and certainly can’t be described as “refusing to debate”. I think the candidates have an obligation to the citizens to engage in debates, but I don’t think they have an obligation to any particular media outlet.
Obviously, I can’t speak for everybody. I assure you there will be people like me who will take a second look at any candidate who turns down an opportunity to debate when the other candidate is willing. It obviously doesn’t matter to Jerry or Greg or many others, but I assure you it will matter to some. Maybe the difference of winning and losing. To me, not to you, it shows a weakness and it shows a potential of not understanding the issues that the host would want to cover. I am not saying that this is the case, just that those are possibilities.
@Tom: I’m not saying that candidates don’t need to debate, I’m saying
a. Four debates doesn’t fit my definition of “refusing to debate”
b. Fox 25 has, shall we say, a unique approach to “news” and I use the term “news” lightly.