Fitzpartick, Strouse October Debate Set for BCCC

LevittownNow.com confirmed Friday that a debate between incumbent Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and his Democratic challenger, Kevin Strouse, has been set for October at Bucks County Community College in Bristol Township.

Debate moderator Bill Pezza, also a faculty member at the college, said the hour-long political wangle for the right to represent the constituents of Pennnsylvania’s 8th congressional district will take place at the Lower Bucks campus in Bristol on October 23 beginning at 12:15 p.m.

The battle for the seat, which national political pundits have repeatedly said is winnable for democrats, is just starting to take form now with 100 days to go before election day.

Campaign coordinator for Fitzpatrick, Sam Bolstein said Friday afternoon,  “Mike looks forward to a campaign focused on the issues and thanks our hosts for providing this forum to talk about our country’s future.”

Debates at the college  have been going on for sometime now, with Pezza as moderator, and usually signifies the end of the debate season, said Pezza.

Strouse, prior to attending a fundraiser in Bristol Borough Friday had a bit more to say about the debate.

“I’m looking forward to debating Congressman Fitzpatrick and taking him to task for his record of shutting down the government and contributing to the closure of the Lockheed plant in Newtown. Congressman Fitzpatrick is notorious for going out of his way to hide from his constituents when he’s in the district, and I look forward to the opportunity to present a stark contrast between Congressman Fitzpatrick’s record of dysfunction and my plans to work to jump start the middle-class in the 8th District.”

Fitzpatrick has yet to acknowledge Strouse’s recent public attacks about the influence of lobbyists and their influence on Congress, challenging Fitzpatrick to make public his meetings with those who wield influence in and on Congress.

Strouse said at the time the lack of any substantial movement on important issues in the House of Representatives is a direct result of the influence lobbyists have on sitting members of congress.

Bolstien said at the time “Mike Fitzpatrick has said he will not lobby. He has no interest in lobbying, and has encouraged other officials to follow his lead – on lobbying reform, declining Congressional healthcare and championing term limits. He (Fitzpatrick) is fully committed to returning to Bucks County after his service to take care of his family, and will continue to work for the community he was born and raised in.”

Fitzpatrick, earlier this week, had a bill he -co-sponsored job training bill, signed into law by President Obama earlier this month.

“I was proud to support this jobs bill in the House and am glad to see the president making it a priority to address the concerns I’ve been working on – closing the skills gap, eliminating antiquated programs, and training the unemployed and underemployed for the jobs of today,” said Fitzpatrick about the measure becoming law earlier this week.

According to ElectionProjection.com, Fitzpatrick is leading Strouse in early polling by 4 to 9 points, depending on the poll data being used.

Lower Bucks political sources say Strouse has an uphill battle for three specific reasons. Moderate Democrats have voted for Fitzpatrick in the past two election cycles, he’s very popular in the Lower Bucks, and Strouse’s recent challenges with fundraising. Fitzpatrick has over 1 million dollars in his war chest, according to Federal Election filings.

“Lets face it,” one political democratic insider said. “They never (the Strouse campaign) counted on Shaughnessy Naughton being a factor in May’s  Democratic primary.”

“And that,”  the source said,” might very well be Strouse’s undoing.:

Pezza said Friday the debate will be the format used as before but he had not picked the areas of focus for the debate.