Ehrlich, Blaisdell camps debate debate

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead Democrats and Republicans are fighting tooth and nail over what type of public forum state representative candidates should appear in.Currently, only state Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) and Republican John Blaisdell have announced their candidacy for the 8th Essex District seat, but the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee turned down a request from the Marblehead Republican Town Committee asking it to co-sponsor a “Lincoln-Douglas style debate” between the candidates for state representative. Marblehead Democratic Town Committee Chairman Phil Sweeney declined the invitation to the debate on behalf of his committee.”In my opinion, this type of debate emphasizes values and political histrionics instead of substantive issues,” he said in a press release. “It is not a particularly good medium for explicating the issues facing the district and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”Sweeney went on to say he spoke with Ehrlich regarding the proposal.”Representative Ehrlich has informed me that she has fund-raising, religious holidays, constituent events already scheduled, so we will only have time for one forum,” he said.Republican Town Committee Chairman Amy Flachbart accused Ehrlich of “ducking accountability” and “hiding behind her schedule.””I find it disheartening and, frankly, elitist, that state Rep. Lori Ehrlich is so dismissive of such a legitimate debate format and chooses to refer to a substantive and open exchange of ideas as ‘histrionics,'” she said. “If her fund-raising efforts are taking the place of a televised debate of the issues where her constituents could feel connected to the person who represents them at the State House, clearly her priorities are backwards. “Ehrlich said she is open to having a forum on the issues, but she would not participate in a “Lincoln-Douglas” debate, that would have the two go head-to-head without a moderator.”I find it stunning that Mr. Blaisdell and the MRTC are unwilling to discuss the format of the debate but instead launch into personal attacks and insults,” she said. “What the people of this district deserve is a representative who will not stoop to attacks, but stick to the issues? A debate is one thing, and I am ready and willing to have a debate on the issues with John Blaisdell – a debate where I will not attack the gentleman personally with name-calling or character attacks. Let’s have a debate on education, economic development, the environment, local aid, and on who is the most qualified, experienced person to represent our community.”Blaisdell said he has no desire to attack Ehrlich but voting records are something that need to be discussed.”I have no reason to attack her personally nor would I want to attack her personally,” he said. “But why can’t I talk about her record? Why can’t I talk about her raising taxes? She is an incumbent and she has a voting record that needs to be talked about. These are legitimate issues and in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate all issues are on the table. If it’s not a Lincoln-Douglas style debate then there will be no debate because it would lack substance.”