There’s another back and forth going on over debates, this one in the Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate between incumbent Patrick Leahy and challenger Dan Freilich.
Freilich sent out an e-mail on MOnday accusing Leahy of refusing to take part in debate leading up to the Aug. 24 primary vote. The news release said the Leahy campaign “declined to partake in any public debates.”
The Leahy campaign says that’s not true, and the senator plans to take part in a VPR debate scheduled for August. Campaign manage Carolyn Dwyer writes:
Should other media outlets offer to host debates, we will give them full consideration based on Senator Leahy’s official schedule demands.
She points out, however, that Leahy will be busy this summer as he leads the Judiciary Committee through the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Below is the exchange of e-mails and news releases over the debate question.
April 18
Dear Ms. Dwyer,
I hope you are well and have been enjoying the warmer spring weather. Out of respect for Senator Leahy’s busy schedule, I am writing to you directly instead.
As you know, I am a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Vermont, challenging Senator Patrick Leahy in the Democratic Primary in the 2010 election.
I am writing to initiate a discussion for the scheduling of a series of debates for the two declared Senatorial candidates from Vermont for the Democratic Primary.
As we are getting close to the Primary, especially since the Legislature has moved the date to August 24, I respectfully submit that it would be best to schedule these events as soon as possible.
For the sake of initiating a discussion, I suggest consideration of three Democratic Primary debates, one at the time/place/format of Senator Leahy’s choosing, one at our campaign’s choosing, and one jointly chosen. Of course, we are flexible and open to discussing various venue and format types.
I would like to personally extend my gratitude for Senator Leahy’s service and state that I appreciate his time commitment in Washington. Nevertheless, I believe that democracy requires and Vermonters deserve public discourse by their candidates and elected leaders about important public policy and governance issues. Therefore, I trust that Senator Leahy will proactively collaborate in scheduling and partaking in a series of debates during this Democratic Primary season in Vermont. I look forward to your earliest response so we can solidify the scheduling and formats of the debates.
With kind regards, Dan F
April 19
Dear Dr. Freilich:
By virtue of his seniority and his Chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy bears significant responsibility for the upcoming nomination process for the new Supreme Court Justice. That being the case, his schedule over the next few months will be taken up by the confirmation process in addition to his usual responsibilities representing Vermont in the United State Senate. We hope that this process will conclude and a new justice will be seated on the Court by August.
I have spoken with Bob Kinzel of Vermont Public Radio who wishes to host a debate between the Democratic Primary candidates. This debate will be heard statewide and will run twice on VPR. We have told Mr. Kinzel it is our intention to participate in that debate which will be scheduled in August once Senator Leahy has concluded his work in the Senate.
Enjoy your time on the campaign trail and we will look forward to seeing you in August.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dwyer
May 24
Press release
The campaign of Daniel Freilich for U.S. Senate from Vermont (D, I) is forwarding a copy of its email exchange about debates with Senator Patrick Leahy’s campaign (below).
Senator Leahy’s campaign declined to partake in any public debates
between the Democratic Party candidates prior to the August 24 Primary.
The incumbent communicated that he will not partake in any live public debates, stating “his schedule over the next few months will be taken up by the confirmation process in addition to his usual responsibilities…”
The incumbent stated his “intention” (although did not commit) to participate only in a single Vermont Public Radio (VPR) debate in August “once Senator Leahy has concluded his work in the Senate”.
Daniel stated, “The Supreme Court nomination process is important but so is democracy in Vermont. The incumbent’s refusal to participate in public debates confirms an elitist sense of entitlement. This kind of out-of-touch thinking is typical in Congress and is exactly what the American people are so rallying against.”
Daniel added, “If it is true that ‘his schedule…will be taken up’, one can assume for consistency sake, that the Senator would have no time for other campaign activities either. That the incumbent found time to attend a recent fundraiser dinner in Burlington demonstrates disingenuousness in the excuse.”
Daniel further added, “Entrenched incumbents often dodge participating in public debates because they do not want to be accountable for their legislative record and political principles or give day light to challengers. But these are inadequate excuses because personal responsibility should trump political maneuvering, ensuring doing what is right as opposed to what can be gotten away with. Rather than leaving a legacy of supporting sustainable values of democracy and accountability, Mr. Leahy has chosen to continue the same unsustainable values of entitlement, short-sightedness, political expedience, and lack of accountability that got us in the economic and environmental messes we have found ourselves in.”
Daniel concluded, “I am running to work on trying to return fairness and reasonableness to American governance and ethical political principles; it is unfortunate that after 35 years, the incumbent would be running from his record to dodge accountability.”
May 25
Dear Dr. Freilich:
As noted in my prior email, once a nominee for the Supreme Court has been announced, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Leahy will have significant responsibilities in the nomination process. Those responsibilities, along with his daily responsibilities representing Vermont in the United States Senate, are his priority.
It is our intention to participate in a statewide debate hosted by Vermont Public Radio once the Supreme Court nomination process is complete. This debate will be live, will includes questions from the audience and will be heard by a statewide audience. In addition, they will replay the debate later in the day to reach additional voters.
Should other media outlets offer to host debates, we will give them full consideration based on Senator Leahy’s official schedule demands. However, as noted in the prior email the Supreme Court nomination process creates an uncertain schedule which will be dictated by hearings and floor votes.
Senator Leahy has never taken any election for granted, but he has always put his work for Vermont and for our nation ahead of politics. This year will be no different.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dwyer
