Oct 20, 2020 — The first debate for New York’s 21st Congressional District was held Monday night, and tensions were visible between Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik and her Democratic challenger Tedra Cobb. Both candidates outlined their differences on issues ranging from health care to the military during their first of two televised debates.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik and Democrat Tedra Cobb prepare before their debate on Oct. 19 at WWNY-TV. Source: Julia Ritchey, NCPR
Even before their debate on Monday, the two campaigns were already feuding. Democrat Tedra Cobb publicly declared she had tested negative for COVID-19 last Thursday and challenged Stefanik to take one as well. Stefanik, meanwhile, blasted Cobb for not agreeing to a third debate in Albany.
The sparks did not subside once the two candidates arrived at the studios of WWNY-TV on a rainy afternoon in downtown Watertown, where they debated for about an hour.
The coronavirus and the federal government’s response was a large focus at the top of the debate. When both candidates were asked for their opinion of President Trump’s job performance, Cobb did not hold back.
“The president lied to the American people," said Cobb. "He knew how dangerous this virus was, and didn’t tell the truth. With public health, we need to trust the American people to do the right thing.”
Stefanik, who is running for fourth term in Congress, defended the president’s actions.
“Take a look back at where we were in February. President Trump made the right but tough decision to ban flights from China," said Stefanik.
But quickly, Stefanik pivoted to criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“Now when it comes to the state decision on COVID-19, I’ve been very critical of the governor," she said. "My opponent is a former political appointee of Gov. Cuomo, and she was silent when Gov. Cuomo tried to seize our ventilators and shift them toward downstate.”
Cobb later clarified she was not a political appointee of Cuomo’s, and said both the state and federal government should be held accountable for any failures during the response.
Rep. Elise Stefanik and Democrat Tedra Cobb before their debate on Oct. 19. Source: Julia Ritchey, NCPR
“What I don’t support is moving towards a Medicare for All direction. My opponent ran for two years, it was on her own campaign website. She’s running from that. That would be cancellation of every private insurance, millions of people across the country, tens of thousands of families," said Stefanik.
Cobb responded that she was now in support of a more modest proposal, known as the public option, that would allow people to opt into a government-run program like Medicare or keep their own insurance. Then she pointed to Stefanik’s own record of votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“Let’s be clear, Elise Stefanik voted five times — five times," said Cobb.
"For better health care," Stefanik interrupted.
The two began talking over each other for several moments.
"That is Elise Stefanik’s record. She voted to take away your health care," said Cobb as anchor Jeff Cole tried to steer to other topics.
The tension remained throughout the hour as Cobb also took aim at Stefanik’s record on military affairs with Fort Drum located nearby. She criticized Stefanik’s response to intelligence reports, published over the summer, that allege Russia offered the Taliban money to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Source: Julia Ritchey, NCPR
Stefanik responded that the some military officials have since cast doubt on the allegations.
“Tedra Cobb is parroting Nancy Pelosi, the far left and the New York Times," Stefanik said."When it comes to the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Director of National Intelligence, all of our intelligence community has said that there is no substantiated evidence of Russian bounties.”
Cobb avoided a question on whether she would support Democrats adding seats to the Supreme Court if Republicans confirm President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett. But Stefanik said she opposes the maneuver, known as court packing.
It wasn’t all disagreement. Both said they were opposed to a national mandate to wear masks and agreed with President Trump’s decision to draw down troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stefanik and Cobb will have one more go at it later this week. Their second and final debate will take place at WPTZ-TV in Plattsburgh on Wednesday.
NCPR will rebroadcast the WWNY-TV debate on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. EST.
"between" - Google News
October 20, 2020 at 04:49PM
https://ift.tt/2HhBqu3
Sparks fly between Stefanik, Cobb in first televised debate for NY-21 - North Country Public Radio
"between" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WkNqP8
https://ift.tt/2WkjZfX
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Sparks fly between Stefanik, Cobb in first televised debate for NY-21 - North Country Public Radio"
Post a Comment