10th District debate issue surfaces

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.comTimes Leader Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. ’s campaign staff has accused his opponent’s latest political commercial of misleading voters about Carney’s agreement to debate this fall.

In an ad that began airing on television stations throughout the 10th Congressional District on Tuesday, challenger Chris Hackett focuses on the issue of debates – or lack of – to attack Carney, a freshman incumbent from Dimock Township.

In the 30-second spot, Hackett, a Kingston Township Republican, says, “I’ve challenged Chris Carney to numerous debates, but unfortunately he refuses.”

Four other people, whose names or hometowns aren’t used, make comments about Hackett’s challenge. The Hackett campaign declined to identify the four.

Their comments include: “Carney should debate. What’s he trying to hide? And “Carney won’t debate. Isn’t that just like a Washington politician?” While the second comment is made, the words “Carney: Won’t Debate” appear on the screen in white and yellow letters.

Those comments caused the Carney campaign to issue a press release Tuesday accusing Hackett of negative politics.

“Unfortunately, this is exactly what we have come to expect from our challenger, a campaign of lies and distortions,” said Carney campaign manager Vincent Rongione. “This is a desperate attack from a typical negative politician who will say anything to try and get elected, including statements which he knows to be false.”

Hackett campaign manager Mark Harris fired back: “… Our ad is entirely true and Carney’s own statements prove it. The more important issue is why Carney won’t debate, and the reason is he doesn’t want voters to know the truth about his liberal record on taxes, spending, and energy.”

Carney agreed before the April primary to debate the winner of the GOP contest between Hackett and Dan Meuser. The debate is scheduled for 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and will be broadcast live on WVIA and PCN.

Hackett challenged Carney to a series of eight debates this summer, which Carney’s campaign said it was considering until late August when it announced the WVIA debate was good enough.

Rongione said Carney appeared at public town hall meetings in all 14 counties in the district during his first term and voters had ample chances to ask him questions about the issues.

Harris defended the commercial but said there’s a way the campaign would take it off the airwaves.

“If Carney dislikes the ad, all he has to do is agree to debates, and we will gladly take the ad off the air,” Harris said.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.