Erik Dorey, Sen. Mark Pryor‘s campaign spokesman, sends this statement on Rep. Tom Cotton’s proposal of five “Lincoln-Douglas” style debates:
Mark looks forward to debating Congressman Cotton at the appropriate time and in a format where voters statewide can finally hear Mr. Cotton’s explanation for recklessly voting to turn Medicare over to insurance companies, cut benefits and raise the age to 70 for Social Security and Medicare.
See, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Cotton’s grand idea about a debate just like they did in the good old Lincoln-Douglas days will just end up with Pryor saying Cotton will cut Medicare over and over, Cotton saying Obamacare over and over, and both calling each other liars and interrupting each other. On the other hand, even a debate with a moderator, panel, or questions from the audience will probably have a lot of that too.
I’ve asked Dorey whether the Pryor camp is open to the “Lincoln-Douglas-style” format and whether they would be open to five debates. Will update if I hear back.