Campaigns spin before & after airing of WSYR debate
UPDATE: Watch the debate here.
My 3 p.m. report:
The WSYR Newschannel 9 debate between the three 23rd Congressional District candidates finished just about an hour ago - but Central and Northern New Yorkers won't see it until it airs at 7 p.m. tonight on that Syracuse station and WWTI MyABC50, Watertown.
That time lag didn't stop Dede Scozzafava's campaign from declaring, yet again, that their candidate dominated when it came to the debate.
"Today, Bill Owens and Doug Hoffman showed voters who they really are: two multimillionaire peas in a multimillion dollar pod who are willing to do and say whatever it takes to get elected," said Matt Burns, spokesman for Dede for Congress, in a statement.
"Bill Owens unquestionably earned his endorsement from Governor Paterson this afternoon," Mr. Burns said. "Owens' vision for higher taxes and socialized medicine reinforce exactly why Nancy Pelosi is chomping at the bit to get him elected to Congress. Owens is a $750,000 a year trial lawyer who has lied throughout this campaign about creating 2,000 jobs. It's no wonder he's been running scared from debating Dede the past few months. The voters of this area are tired of tax and spend politicians like Bill Owens and they will reject his policies on November 3rd.
"It's disgraceful that Doug Hoffman came out of hiding only five days before the election to debate Dede, but judging from his performance today, I can understand why. Doug Hoffman likes to speak in platitudes and appear on cable television and talk radio, but he's unable to speak about the issues which matter most to the people of the 23rd Congressional District. His stubborn refusal to accept earmarks for worthwhile projects at Fort Drum could not only harm the men and women of our Armed Services, but could also jeopardize the future of Drum.
"Dede Scozzafava is the only candidate in this race who has a track record of getting things done for the people of Upstate New York. This afternoon, Dede clearly articulated her message for strengthening our economy, lowering taxes, and providing Fort Drum and the men and women of our Armed Services with the tools they need to protect our country. Dede's strong performance today demonstrated precisely why local Republican leaders, local elected officials, the National Rifle Association, and Newt Gingrich are supporting her candidacy."
UPDATE: Jon Boughtin, Mr. Owens' spokesman, has weighed in - after the debate aired.
“Once again Bill Owens showed that he is the only candidate in this race with a real plan to get Upstate New York's economy back on track.”
“Doug Hoffman is committed to going back to the George Bush economic agenda despite the fact that the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy would add $500 billion to a deficit that is already out of control. He has no plan to get our economy out of this mess and no plan to create jobs in Upstate New York. He offered no solutions on health care and it's clear that his candidacy is solely focused on serving the special interests that are financing his campaign. That is exactly what Upstate New York can't afford right now.”
“Bill's priorities are reducing the deficit, creating jobs and moving our economy forward. He'll fight for health care reform that we desperately need. He'll work to lower the deficit that the Bush economic policies created with years of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. He is experienced in helping create jobs, has laid out a plan to continue that work in Congress, and he's the kind of leader Upstate New York needs right now to turn the page on the Bush economic agenda.”
