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Republican candidate proposes Governor's Oct. 22 open date
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
UPDATED
As a result of Gov. Jon Corzine agreeing to take part in a debate with his two opponents on Oct. 1, NJN-TV Tuesday withdrew its request to shift a debate to Oct. 22, a date requested by the governor. Corzine had sought the Oct. 22 date, saying it was the only day his schedule was open.
After a 2-2- tie vote on Monday about moving the debate to Oct. 22, the state Election Law Enforcement Commission scheduled a second meeting for Wednesday in an attempt to settle the issue. The meeting is no longer necessary.
After learning of the withdrawal of NJN-TV's request, Bill Stepien, Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie's campaign manager, challenged Corzine to another debate on Oct. 22.
"While we're glad that Governor Corzine's schedule has suddenly cleared and allowed him to participate in the previously scheduled October 1st debate, it appears his schedule is also open for a debate on October 22nd,'' Stepien said. "Chris would welcome the opportunity to add a third debate to the schedule, and I'm sure the voters of New Jersey agree.''Stepien added, "New Jersey is facing the highest property taxes in the country, 9.3 percent unemployment and a government that just isn't working. The voters of our state deserve more debate on these vital issues, not less. We challenge Governor Corzine to use his open schedule on October 22nd to continue the conversation with the New Jersey's voters and meet Chris for a third debate."
The Corzine campaign did not have an immediate response to Christie's challenge for a debate on Oct. 22.
Sean Darcy, the Corzine campaign's communications director, confirmed the governor would participate in an Oct. 1 debate and that Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) would take part in the Oct. 8 lieutenant governor candidates' debate.
Chris Daggett, the Independent gubernatorial candidate, welcomed NJN-TV's action.
He had opposed moving the debate to Oct. 22, arguing it would be competing for viewers with the major league baseball playoffs.
"Voters will benefit from the decision by New Jersey Network to retain its originally scheduled Oct. 1 date for the first televised debate,'' Daggett said. "In campaigning throughout New Jersey this summer, I know how anxious the public is to hear substantive discussion of the issues they care about — ever-rising property taxes, political corruption, and New Jersey's under-performing economy. Too much time in this campaign has been wasted on negative political ads and petty personal attacks, which only serve to deflate voter turnout in November.''
