Debating Debates

It's an age old dance. The challenger wants as many debates as possible and the incumbent wants as few as possible. The thinking is you don't want to give the upstart any exposure but usually agree to one encounter close to the election.

In the 120th HD the League of Women's voters will host a forum with incumbent Phyllis Mundy (D) and her challenger Aaron Kaufer (R) at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wyoming Seminary's Buckingham Performing Arts Center. The LVW doesn't actually have a debate but the candidates will read opening and closing statements and answer questions from the moderator and the audience. I don't know how many of these type of things I have attended and they always bore the pants off of me. Any wonder why only 30 or 40 people usually show up.

Kaufer still keeps hitting himself in the head with this. Kaufer also said he wants to have multiple debates because Mundy was a former president of the League of Women Voters a few decades ago and suggested a debate with another moderator.

I don't know anyone that doesn't think the LVW isn't fair. He suggested to me on Facebook that Tiffany Cloud would be a neutral moderator. Stop laughing, I love Tiff but she is hardly neutral as I'm sure she will be the first to tell you. I suggested the Yonk as the moderator of a blogger hosted debate. No response from either campaign.

Gene Stilp wants a a debate in every county of the the 11th CD just like Lou Barletta wanted a debate in every county of the district last time. Not gonna happen but we may get at least 2. WVIA-TV has one already scheduled for Nov. 1, and an announcement is expected next week about plans for a debate in Luzerne County that will be hosted by a news organization. No word if a debate will be held in the Harrisburg area.

A debate between the 17th District candidates, Republican Laureen Cummings and Democrat Matthew Cartwright, will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Oct. 17. The Morning Call, PBS39 and partners will air the debate..

Legislators plan debate 2 weeks before election

 

In the new and sprawling 11th, debates could matter

 

The Morning Call, PBS39 to present face-offs for candidates in 15th, 17th districts.