The District Prosecutor in Philadelphia, Larry Krasner and his democratic pretender Patrick Dugan have been throwing spikes for months, and this week sparring concerns how – and if – they meet on the stage on a television debate.
Until Thursday afternoon, the debate about the debates transformed into a call to the name, and Dugan’s campaign accused the Krasner of political games, while Krasner’s spokesman said that Dugan was involved in the “freak of losing campaign”.
Dustup has been brewing for weeks, because the candidates were invited to participate in several television debates and forums before the primary elections on May 20: live debate on CBS3, recorded forum organized by FOX 29 and live forum in Whyy, an associate entity NPR.
Dugan was ready to do all three. But Krasner said on Thursday that he would appear only on where on April 22.
This prompted Dugan to publish an ultimatum: a debate me three times or don’t debate me at all.
In Thursday E -Mail for the Krasner campaign and many debates organizers, the head of the Dugan campaign, Daniel Kalai, wrote that his candidate would only take part in the Whyy forum, if Krasner also agrees to the events of CBS3 and Fox29.
He wrote that the campaign was committed over a month ago CBS on April 24 “because it is important to give millions of voters for every opportunity to recognize candidates directly to make an informed decision in the spirit of democracy.”
Kalai added that Krasner has Rejected other possibilities appear in front of the voters, writing: “What is Larry afraid of [of]? The ball is on your pitch. “
»Read more: Relationships drive the Patrick Dugan campaign for Philly Da when he surpasses Larry Krasner far
Anthony Campisi, a spokesman for Krasner’s campaign, said that the campaign decided to participate only in the WHYY forum this week after considering several factors, including Krasner’s schedule and debate formats.
He said that voters would have “many opportunities” to hear from both candidates, including through forums and social events, and the Dugan camp produces “false controversy”.
“If they decide to withdraw from the event, they will deprive Philadelphians of the possibility of hearing from the candidates,” said Campisi. “These are the antics of the lost campaign with an unsuccessful message.”
Sparring over debates is a sanctified political tradition. Procycists often try to plan more debates as a way to reach voters, while television events are more risky for sipping, who have a built -in advantage over recognition and less profit from appearing on television.
When the Krasner ran to re -election four years ago, he debated the then Carlos Vega in a television debate on NBC10. He refused to debate about his republican pretender, lawyer Chuck Peruto, before the universal elections this year, calling it “a waste of time”.
Planning the debate was also a problem in the mayor’s race in 2023, when the then democratic candidate Cherrelle L. Parker was not incompatible with the appearance on the stage together with the Republican candidate David Oh, who wanted to debate 10 times.
Parker finally agreed to the OH debate – once.
