Blok: Democrats are talking debate
Monday, August 23, 2004
By KATHERINE BLOK
The Express-Times
Last week, two Democrats seeking election to Congress in northwestern New Jersey issued debate challenges to their Republican opponents.
In a rally for campaign volunteers, 5th District candidate Anne Wolfe criticized incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett's voting record, including his opposition to extending the assault weapons ban, which recently expired. Wolfe said she will agree to any debate and challenged Garrett to do the same.
"Scott, I say to you again tonight; you will not duck me in this campaign. If I have to come to your home with camera crews and reporters in tow; you and I will have an honest debate on the issues that matter most to the people of northern New Jersey," Wolfe said. "The good people of this district care more about their skyrocketing property taxes than they care for radical right-wing ideology. They care far more about the health, well being and safety of their children than they do about narrow political extremism. They also care more about their children's education than they ever will about social wedge issues."
Garrett campaign manager Matthew Barnes said Garrett has agreed to debates hosted by the Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce and WRNJ-AM.
"(Wolfe) is working herself up into a tizzy for no reason, since Congressman Garrett will debate her and has agreed to debates. Her bizarre theatrics strike people as a bit odd. The congressman looks forward to sharing his record," Barnes said.
In the 7th District, Democrat Steve Brozak sent a debate challenge letter to incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson on Thursday.
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