US Senate Debate in Poughkeepsie

Monday, 25 October 2010 | by Pat's Picks

I spent my Sunday in Poughkeepsie, New York, where I moderated the NY1-sponsored debate at Marist College. It was the only debate between Senator Charles Schumer and his Republican challenger Jay Townsend.

Both candidates delivered their message well in the 60-minute matchup. The New York Times said there were “tart exchanges” between the two, as Townsend sought to score points as a candidate “barely registering in the polls.” (Chuck Schumer was ahead of Townsend by 28 percentage points in the most recent Marist Poll.)

You can watch the entire debate online at NY1.com.

We’d been hoping to do one more NY1 debate before the election next week. But Andrew Cuomo is still refusing our invitations (and everyone else’s) to debate his Republican opponent. So this may be it. NY1’s political team, led by Bob Hardt, puts a lot of work into these debates and it was a privilege to be involved this year. And it was a great afternoon for a drive up the Hudson Valley. The fall colors were in full view in Poughkeepsie yesterday and our hosts at Marist College took great care of us on their beautiful campus.