Fox 61 and the Courant are sponsoring the first official debates between the candidates for U.S. Senate. Democrats Merrick Alpert and Richard Blumenthal will square off at the University of Hartford Lincoln Theater Monday night; Republicans Peter Schiff, Rob Simmons and Linda McMahon will take the stage Tuesday.
The hourlong debates, each of which will begin at 7 p.m., will be televised live on Fox 61. It should be must-see TV for anyone interest in politics (and no, all you Trib-haters and Courant-bashers, Sam Zell didn’t tell order me to write that to gin-up the ratings.)
UPDATE: The debates will be streamed live on both www.courant.com and www.ctnow.com
On the Democratic side, it’s a big moment for Merrick Alpert. The candidate, who got into this race in the spring, before Chris Dodd became a lame-duck, doesn’t have a lot of name recognition, a big campaign bank account or the backing of the Democratic establishment. An hour of free air time is priceless to him. (Some are wondering why Blumenthal, who would seem to have his party’s nomination locked up, would even consider stepping on the stage. What does he have to gain? But turning down public appearances doesn’t seem to be part of the AG’s DNA.)
Things should be even more interesting on Tuesday, when the GOP candidates take their turn in the spotlight.
The stakes would seem to be particularly high for Linda McMahon. Apart from her ubiquitous ads, many members of the public don’t know much about her (unless they happen to be wrestling fans.) The debate offers her a chance to define her candidacy. But it is also fraught with potential pitfalls. Despite her experience in front of the camera, she often comes across as stiff and awkward. And that’s within the safely scripted confines of the WWE, not the raw, realtime dramatics of the political arena.
Moreover, she’s a newbie to politics who’s been accused by her critics of having a slight grip on the issues and also of running a consultant-driven campaign. She tends to speak in sound-bites and relies on handlers and others to delineate more nuanced positions on her behalf.
And she’s going up against two pros. Simmons, while hardly a silver-tongued orator in the mold of Winston Churchill or JFK, nevertheless has extensive experience in such forums. As a candidate for the state legislature and for Congress, he’s a veteran of many debates.
Then there’s Schiff, who has an ability to convey complex ideas and a natural gift for gab, especially when the cameras are on. He’s had lots of time to hone those skills, what with his frequent rounds on the TV talk show circuit. Even when his interrogator is unfriendly, Schiff isn’t one to back down from the back and forth.
With that cast of characters, Tuesday should prove lively indeed.