Thereās aĀ debate over debate right now in the 7th District ā New Jerseyās marquee race this year. Democratic nominee Sue Altman accepted two recent debate invitations: One from Centenary University, which is in the district, and one from WPIX, the television station. But Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. rejected them.
Kean will take part in debates, his campaign says. Just not these two. The arrangements havenāt been finalized, but last time he did two: New Jersey Globe and the Gateway Chamber of Commerce. He also did a forum for the candidates at the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ.
Altman seized on Kean spurning the invitations, saying sheāll debate Kean āanytimeā and put out a video about the issue that also highlights her basketball skills.
Altman isnāt the first candidate to try this tactic against Kean. U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowksi had raised similar complaints before. Indeed, while Kean has engaged in four debates during his two recent runs for Congress, heās known for eschewing events where he would be expected to provide off-the-cuff answers.
The debate over debates is by its nature insidery and didnāt seem to hurt Kean in the previous elections. But it can help illustrate the counters of a race in which Kean is projecting a moderate image in a district that Biden won, while trying to talk about Donald Trump as little as possible while attempting not to alienate the Republican base. And Altman is quick to point out that this time itās different, because Kean isnāt just a candidate but a sitting member of Congress.
Debate Strategy in New Jersey’s 7th District Race
politicopro.com
August 1, 2024 4:07 pm
Thereās aĀ debate over debate right now in the 7th District ā New Jerseyās marquee race this year. Democratic nominee Sue Altman accepted two recent debate invitations: One from Centenary University, which is in the district, and one from WPIX, the television station. But Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. rejected them.
Kean will take part in debates, his campaign says. Just not these two. The arrangements havenāt been finalized, but last time he did two: New Jersey Globe and the Gateway Chamber of Commerce. He also did a forum for the candidates at the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ.
Altman seized on Kean spurning the invitations, saying sheāll debate Kean āanytimeā and put out a video about the issue that also highlights her basketball skills.
Altman isnāt the first candidate to try this tactic against Kean. U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowksi had raised similar complaints before. Indeed, while Kean has engaged in four debates during his two recent runs for Congress, heās known for eschewing events where he would be expected to provide off-the-cuff answers.
The debate over debates is by its nature insidery and didnāt seem to hurt Kean in the previous elections. But it can help illustrate the counters of a race in which Kean is projecting a moderate image in a district that Biden won, while trying to talk about Donald Trump as little as possible while attempting not to alienate the Republican base. And Altman is quick to point out that this time itās different, because Kean isnāt just a candidate but a sitting member of Congress.