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Murphy, Fitzpatrick spar on debates

When it comes to scheduling debates in the 8th Congressional District, the candidates and their campaigns are, well, debating.

On primary night back in May, Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) sent a letter to his newly-nominated Republican opponent Mike Fitzpatrick, challenging to him to a series of eight debates. Fitzpatrick accepted the challenge and the some, offering to show up for as many as 15.

So it came as a surprise to some, especially those in the Fitzpatrick campaign, that the two sides could initially agree to only four debates. Fitzpatrick went as far as to send a letter of his own to Murphy, calling for him to at least meet, if not exceed, his original proposal of eight debates.

“I am committed to providing the voters the opportunity to ask their important questions and hear our contrasting visions for the district,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “My campaign staff is ready to clear my schedule for these important issues.”

The Murphy campaign now claims there are already more than four debates scheduled, regardless of what the Fitzpatrick campaign is saying publicly. In addition the four previously reported, there are debates scheduled for Oct. 14th and Oct. 18th, Murphy spokeswoman Sara Schaumburg said. She also pointed to a scheduled appearance Murphy will make in October at the same venue where Fitzpatrick is scheduled to speak in September, and said there are more debates in the works.

Fitzpatrick spokesman Darren Smith scoffed at the Murphy campaign’s attempt to characterize separate appearances as anything like a “debate.” He also criticized Murphy for attempting to hold multiple debates on the same day, as it will likely prevent the press from reporting on each debate individually. Finally, Smith called on Murphy to have a debate in August or September, while Congress is still on recess.

Fitzpatrick released a statement Tuesday echoing this challenge.

“Given the short amount of time Congress plans to work this fall, Congressman Murphy needs to tell us what action will be taken to create jobs,” Fitzpatrick said. “If he provides a date and time, I will be there.”

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August 25, 2010 at 8:17 am

--Eric Katz

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  1. Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.

    Aug 25th, 2010

    That Murphy characterizes separate appearances before the same audience as a “debate” is akin to his having characterized individual-meetings with constituents as comprising a “Town Meeting.”

    Both are disingenuous manifestations of avoidance-conduct that, one hopes, will be appropriately “rewarded” in November.

  2. Patrick Murphy Ducks Debates | Bucks Right

    Aug 25th, 2010

    [...] Patrick Murphy Ducks Debates Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 10:35 am Posted by Steven in Pennsylvania 0 Comments After a year-and-a-half of ducking town hall meetings and avoiding discussion of the failed Murphy / Pelosi / Obama economic agenda with his constituents, Democratic Socialist incumbent Congressman Patrick Murphy is now ducking debates with his Republican challenger Mike Fitzpatrick. [...]

  3. Transplant

    Aug 25th, 2010

    Note:

    No where did Murphy, or his campaign suggest or imply that the appearance was a debate. That was made up by the Fitzpatrick people, and is being parroted by Sklaroff.

  4. RTY

    Aug 25th, 2010

    No one wants to see these two pathetic candidates debate more than 4 times. Not much difference between the two.

    Let’s see … same position on immigration … same position on mosque in NYC … both spend like crazy as Congressman but purport to be fiscal conservatives … maybe we can have a contest to see who can flip-flop the most in pandering to voters. Well, FitzFlop would probably win that contest.

    In the end, Murphy is terrible and FitzFlop’s only redeeming quality is not being Murphy.

  5. Polling and Political Wrap, 8/25/10 | Politic blogs

    Aug 25th, 2010

    [...] Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. The two are, in a popular recent theme here at the Wrap, fighting over debates. Unlike other races, however, the existence of debates is absolutely beyond disputes. They have [...]

  6. Questioning

    Aug 26th, 2010

    If you want to know what Murphy thinks of the health
    bill, go to Y-Tube. The video’s, 5 in all, is from
    his Acme, met and greet. It took place in late Nov. of 2009, I think. It was the first snow of the year. It is all in his own words. I guess this is what he believes, don’t you think?

  7. Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.

    Aug 26th, 2010

    quickly revisiting the murphy appearance in June….

    he announced he was going to be present for 90 minutes, connoting this was to be an open meeting

    then, at the middletown township building, he announced he would meet individually with everyone present, “even if it takes all night.”

    thus, noting the inefficiency of the latter approach–for attendees were not expecting to have to wait into the afternoon for an audience–it is clear that he switched-gears when he sensed the mood of the crowd (and the presence of his opponent)…avoiding any public statements.

    furthermore, he promised he would allow his private meetings to be taped, on tape, and then reneged when given the opportunity to do so, on tape

    thus, his defenders must answer to the charge that he “got the Pelosi memo” to avoid such events (lest the bad pr of last summer be repeated).

    again, such avoidance-behavior should be aptly rewarded, for he avoids BOTH addressing concerns AND listening to the citizenry

  8. Frank Harshaw

    Sep 11th, 2010

    Patrick Murphy has vote lock and step with Nancy Pelosi. On his current campaign site he list only 1 event @ 9/10/2010. On issues he leave off Healthcare except for Medicare and the Stimulus bill. He has ducked townhall meetings and tries to characterize “phone” townhall meeting and Acme orchestrated meeting as meetings. It is time to send Murphy home. We can not afford Congressman who are Socialists and Big Spenders. The future of the American economy can not afford supporters of Obama, Pelosi and Reid whose son is getting crushed in the polls in Nevada. Murphy can join Harry in the UNEMPLOYMENT LINE ON NOV 2

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