Sen. Charles Schumer has the largest lead in the polls of any statewide politician in New York—yet he’s also the only one who so far hasn’t agreed to debate his challenger.
With less than three weeks until Election Day, Mr. Schumer hasn’t agreed to any of several invitations by different news organizations to debate Republican Jay Townsend. His reticence is particularly odd given his well-earned reputation for getting press attention.
Mr. Townsend, a longtime political consultant who lives in the Hudson Valley, has struggled to get his message out. A debate with Mr. Schumer would be the first chance for many New York voters to hear from the Republican candidate.
Seeking to draw attention to Mr. Schumer’s reluctance to debate, Mr. Townsend has begun bringing a cardboard cutout of the senator to some appearances to highlight his call for a debate.
Brian Fallon, a spokesman for the Schumer campaign, said New York’s senior senator “will be responding soon to the invitations,” though he didn’t say whether Mr. Schumer will actually agree to participate in any of the proposed debates against Mr. Townsend.
Mr. Townsend trails Mr. Schumer by 31 percentage points according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll.
In 2004, Mr. Schumer held a similarly huge lead in the polls over Republican candidate Howard Mills and still had two debates, one in New York City and another upstate.
This time around, though, Mr. Schumer is a senior member of the Democratic congressional leadership and widely viewed as a potential Senate majority leader, depending on the outcome of next month’s midterm elections.
“It’s the worst kept secret in Washington,” said Mr. Townsend, referring to Mr. Schumer’s alleged desire for a top leadership position.
Mr. Townsend signaled that he might use a debate to force Mr. Schumer to discuss his role as a leader of the Democratic Party.
“Look at what he’s done for New York to climb the leadership ladder,” Mr. Townsend said. “He’s currying favor with other senators whose votes he wants when he runs for majority leader.”
New York’s other senator, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, has agreed to two debates with her challenger.
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(Source: Wall Street Journal)
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5 Responses
If the Republicans had run a serious candidate, perhaps Mr. Schumer might want to campaign. But even the Republicans don’t take the New York election seriously.
…exactly. According to Quinnipiac, he has a sizable margin that he need not worry about. If anything, these debates would only hurt his chances, so why bother?
anyone has any idea if schummer did something for R SM Rubashkin ? Did anyone ask him why an orthodox jew gets 27 yrs for overstating assets while some murderers get less.
did anyone ask him why the senate judiciary comitee isnt investigating R SM’s rights while investigating terrorist rights ?
It’s really funny. The first paragraph says that they can’t figure out why he wouldn’t want to debate. The next paragraph is all about how the debate is what the Republican needs in order to get his message out. Well then, perhaps that’s why!
New Yorkers are a lot like Californians, minus the surfboards. The majority always votes for the most detestable candidate on the ballot.