Malloy chides Lamont over upcoming debate

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Democrat Dan Malloy is accusing Ned Lamont of trying to "hide behind his money." Some are urging Lamont to reconsider his decision not to participate in a one-on-one televised debate with Malloy on July 27th.

Democrat Ned Lamont sits a top the last Quinnipiac poll of Democratic voters who intend to vote in next month's primary for Governor. It may be one of the reasons he's not willing to participate in a debate that is now considered a Connecticut tradition.

Despite calls by editorial writers and some of his supporters, Democrat Ned Lamont has not changed his mind about not participating in a televised debate in New London two weeks before primary day.

"Mary and I are going to be instituting a series of town hall meetings across the state, really, to engage people,” Lamont said Tuesday. “From there we'll see what the future brings."

"The people of Connecticut have a long tradition of debates and I think he's going to pay a very high price,” Malloy commented. “I think he's already is paying a high price."

Some believe that when Lamont faced off in the New London U.S. Senate debate back in 2006 against Joe Lieberman, he didn't do well. It was a debate that was the most viewed that election year.

Now he's pointing to forums like the one in Stamford last month where all five candidates participated as being good enough to reach voters.

Ned Lamont: "Been to 25 or 30 forums with a number of face to face."
Mark Davis: “Don't you want to face Malloy face to face when people are actually watching? When there are 15-hundred people in the room? A lot of people are saying you're afraid of him."
Lamont: "That's nonsense."

But Dan Malloy says voters know what Lamont is doing. "People know exactly what he's doing. He's trying to hide behind his money. He's trying to buy this election."

The New London debates, sponsored jointly by The Day and News 8, have become a tradition.

It is News 8’s position that they are important for the voting public and that Mr. Lamont has made a mistake by deciding not to participate.