Second Media Market Offers Senatorial Debate at Franklin & Marshall

By SESTAK FOR SENATE

MEDIA, PA — This week, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak proposed a series of at least six debates with Senator Arlen 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, and has welcomed a preliminary offer by WITF to broadcast a debate from Harrisburg. Today, Franklin and Marshall College, with noted political analyst, Dr. G. Terry Madonna, in Lancaster, invited Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter to participate in a debate they would host in the Harrisburg media market, to be broadcast by WGAL and available through other outlets.

“At a time when people in Pennsylvania and all across the country are demanding more accountability and transparency from their public servants, it’s especially important that we travel to each major region of the state and tell the voters exactly where we stand — on national issues as well as important local issues,” said Joe Sestak. “I am very proud of my record, what I stand for, and what I’ve been able to achieve as a Congressman. Arlen Specter has said he continues to believe in every vote he cast in nearly 30 years as a Republican Senator and will not change the way he votes in the future. After changing his position on key major issues as they have come up during the campaign — such as the public option, the Defense of Marriage Act and EFCA — he needs to clearly explain to Democratic voters what his principles are, what his policies are, and where he will stand if he is elected to serve another six years.

“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 the state the attention and respect they deserve.”

The Sestak campaign has offered to work with the Specter campaign on terms or conditions amendable to Senator Specter and looks forward to scheduling the debates as soon as possible.

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