Ned Lamont, taking part in the only televised debate this primary season - courtesy NBC Connecticut
Update: Here’s the link to the audio from today’s show.
by John Dankosky – Ned Lamont is still leading Dan Malloy in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor – but that race is tightening, down to just 9 points. On his appearance on Friday’s Where We Live, I’ll ask about whether this might be due – in part – to his reluctance to debate Malloy multiple times on statewide TV.
This issue has dominated the last few weeks of the Lamont campaign, first with his rejection of a WTNH/New London Day debate, slated for next week – and then his campaign’s decision not to participate in an August 3 debate, presented by WNPR, CPTV and WFSB. Dennis House of Channel 3, my co-moderator for that debate, writes that this really has become the story of the gubernatorial campaign.
And, it’s not just cynical, big-story loving media guys at newspapers, radio and TV stations who want to see the candidates debate the issues…it’s guys like former Governor Lowell Weicker, a Lamont fan who told Colin McEnroe that Lamont should debate.
As Dennis has already offered, we plan to keep a podium available to Mr. Lamont all the way until 1 p.m. – the time we start taping. I know there are some who’ve wondered whether this really should be an issue at all – but we’ve all noted the lack of transparency, dialog and access provided by the current governor. And the state’s media will continue to ask questions about whether this trend will continue into a new administration.
As a reminder, we’ll be taking questions here and at wherewelive@wnpr.org for the candidates in both debates, as well as our Lt. Governor debate between Mary Glassman and Nancy Wyman next Monday.
The fact there is only ONE poll of likely voters means there is no evidence the race is “tightening”. Since that fact means you chose to lie in order to exert pressure on Lamont I’d say he made the correct decision in rejecting your invitation.
I’d also say the people of Ct have made the right decision in rejecting the entire list of media you listed in this post .The proof of that rejection is in the ratings and the financial state of Cts media. industry.
I was plesed to vote for Lamont against Lieberman but not now. Now I’m concerned that Lamont opposes paid sick leave for employees. Does this mean people won’t get sick? They will get sick. And come to work. And spread disease. Not providing sick leave for employees is going backward. This is poor public policy.
Judging by his remarks about health care, Ned Lamont seems unaware of Connecticut’s health care reform law created by SustiNet. Phase I passed about a year ago over Governor Rell’s veto. Phase II implementation is slated for the next session (hopefully) passage in 2011. SustiNet will save the state millions of dollars at the same time making health care affordable to for all CT residents. In addition, SustiNet will bring a windfall of much needed Federal $$ to the state, including a Medicare reimbursement increase from the current 60% to a fantastic 90%!!
Bottom line is most people (with the exception of ardent Lamont supporters in this case) want to see the candidates debate. All the excuses not to are fruitless. Besides debating, all the people get to see about their candidates are their chest-thumping campaign ads and the ones slamming them from their opposition.
John,
The fact that you are, right now, being vilified on CT’s so-called “progressive” (but most definitely super-pro-Lamont) blogs for treating NL “unfairly” speaks well to your integrity and your professionalism.
PLEASE keep up the great work!
Thanks.
Nancy, please don’t be a one-issue voter.