Joe Sestak Accepts Erie Debate

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

MEDIA, PA — Today, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak accepted an offer to debate his opponent, Arlen Specter, in Erie at a forum hosted by WQLN.

Joe has proposed a series of six debates with Senator Specter, one in each of Pennsylvania’s media markets, in order to provide as many voters as possible the opportunity to learn more about the clear distinctions between the candidates. Joe has accepted an offer to debate in Philadelphia, provided it is one of a series of statewide debates, as well as at Franklin & Marshall College and with WITF in Harrisburg.

“Specter has agreed to a single, one-hour debate in Philadelphia, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss what is best for the future of Pennsylvania,” Joe said. “But to accept a debate in Philadelphia without honoring requests from other regions would be a serious disservice to those in other parts of the state. A series of debates throughout the Commonwealth is the only way to provide voters and local media across Pennsylvania the attention and respect they deserve.”

This week, the Harrisburg Patriot-News editorial board called on Senator Specter to accept debates with Joe Sestak:

“We call on Specter to hold a debate against challenger U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Delaware County, in the midstate …

“Yet so far Specter has agreed only to one debate with Sestak in Philadelphia. That is a start, but it underscores the perception that Specter is the “Philadelphia senator.”

“We encourage the senator to accept one of the forum offers here in the midstate, an area that is likely to be crucial in his re-election bid.”

The Sestak campaign has agreed to work out any terms that would be amendable to Senator Specter and looks forward to scheduling the remaining debates.

###

pa2010.com publishes press releases, statements and other information from campaigns and political committees. We also publish legislative releases from candidates considering higher office in 2010 and from incumbents holding those offices. E-mail releases to press@pa2010.com.