PA Gov: Wolf Rules Out Additional Debates

Written by John Cole, Managing Editor

“What is one, Alex?”

Earlier this week, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP challenger Scott Wagner confirmed they would debate each other Oct. 1 in Hershey, PA moderated by ‘Jeopardy!’ host, Alex Trebek. Wolf’s campaign confirmed this week that the 45 minute face-to-face will be the only debate before November’s election.

Yesterday, Philadelphia Inquirer’s John Baer wrote a column updating the recent happenings in the race for Governor. Towards the end of the article he writes, “The other development this week is Wagner and Wolf agreeing to debate Oct. 1. The Wolf campaign tells me this will be the only debate.”

The Wagner campaign pounced, with a press release Wednesday blasting Wolf.

“Wolf Breaks Decades Of Tradition: Only Participating In One Debate,” was the headline of the press release that included the following statement from Wagner.

“What is Tom Wolf afraid of?” asked Scott Wagner in the release. “After claiming the standard for debates should be twelve, he is now only accepting one. But it should come as no surprise that Governor Wolf is afraid to get up and explain his positions to the the voters given that his education plan relies on billions in crippling tax increases for hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

“Yes, the Chamber Debate is the only debate,” Wolf spokeswoman Beth Melena confirmed. She deflected the attack with a release that mimicked Wagner’s, headlined: “Wagner Breaks Decades Of Tradition: Refuses to Release His Tax Returns.”

Wolf’s campaign didn’t expound on its rationale for the single debate.

Wolf faced Gov. Tom Corbett three times in 2014. Corbett and Democrat Dan Onorato debated three times in 2010. Gov. Ed Rendell faced off with GOP challenger Lynn Swann three times in 2006.

Wagner originally challenged Wolf to 67 debates, one in each PA county.

August 22nd, 2018 | Posted in Front Page Stories, Governor, Top Stories | 14 Comments