Vermont Business Magazine - Senator Patrick Leahy Friday announced that he will participate in three debates in this fall’s campaign for the United States Senate. The three debates will be hosted by Vermont PBS, Vermont Public Radio and Channel 17 and follows precedent established in previous elections. Leahy welcomed and encouraged other media outlets to collaborate on these debates.
Leahy spokesman Jay Tilton said: “Senator Leahy is looking forward to having a positive, issue oriented debate with his opponents this fall, just as he has in previous cycles.”
Tilton noted Leahy agreed to two of these debates before Republican candidate for Senate Scott Milne issued his “debate challenge.”
“While Mr. Milne has continued his campaign by press release, Senator Leahy has traveled across the state listening to the concerns of his fellow Vermonters and sharing his ideas for the future. Senator Leahy’s first priority is the job Vermonters elected him to do, but he looks forward to returning to the campaign trail once Senate business concludes this fall.”
Tilton also acknowledged Leahy’s campaign had received their first letter from Mr. Milne’s campaign. The response from Senator Leahy’s campaign can be found below.
Dear Mr Milne:
Our campaign received your letter yesterday. It is a tradition in Vermont campaigns to allow the recipient of such challenges to actually see them before they are released to the press, and we are glad you have belatedly adopted this approach.
We appreciate the opportunity to clarify your confusion on a number of topics.
Senator Leahy Will participate in debates this fall, as he has in every election. Traditionally, there are three debates in races for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House. Senator Leahy will follow this precedent. We have encouraged other media outlets to partner with their colleagues, a practice that has been used in previous election cycles. We are happy to discuss format and other details with you, or your campaign designee, at the appropriate time.
You should also rest assured that Senator Leahy will run a clean, positive, issue- oriented campaign, as he always has. A huge obstacle to cleaning up the way our elections are funded is the devastating Citizens United Supreme Court case, which allows unchecked and unlimited money to be dumped into federal races by shadowy groups and individuals with agendas other than good government. We just have to look across the border to New Hampshire, a state you have worked in, to see a second straight Senate race that will end up drawing in tens of millions of such dark money. Perhaps your first policy position of this campaign could be joining Senator Leahy in supporting a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United.
I know Senator and Marcelle Leahy enjoyed seeing you and taking photos with your family on at the Lyndonville Parade. Once the Senate recesses, Senator Leahy will be back on the campaign trail sharing his vision of the future with the people of Vermont this fall. He looks forward to a vigorous debate of the issues with his opponents.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dwyer
Campaign Manager
Leahy For Vermont