N.J. First District candidates spar over debates

The big issue up for debate in South Jersey's First Congressional District race is debating.

Republican candidate Garry Cobb and State Sen. Donald Norcross (D., Camden) are less than 30 days away from an election to replace former U.S. Rep. Robert E. Andrews and have yet to go head-to-head.

Both claim the other is the debate dodger.

Cobb, a former Eagles linebacker running in the highly Democratic district, will appear at a "Meet the Candidates" event Wednesday night in Camden at Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church.

Norcross was invited two weeks ago but already had two events scheduled - one with Rutgers alumni and a second gathering with supporters at a home in Barrington. Campaign manager Michael Maitland said the campaign asked the event's host, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Pi Omega Chapter Inc., to move the date. When the sorority declined, they agreed to send a surrogate.

Eboyn Freeman, communications director for the sorority, said the event Wednesday night would begin at 6 p.m. at the church. She said Camden Mayor Dana Redd would appear on Norcross' behalf.

"Donald is out at events every day talking to people about jobs and health care and education, and Mr. Cobb is following around at those events screaming at him to debate when in fact Cobb no-showed at the previous debate, and both campaigns have agreed to joint appearances in the coming weeks," Maitland said.

Cobb, who did not attend the primary debate in the spring, has videos on his YouTube page that show him chasing Norcross - once at a festival and a second time at a parade. In an uncomfortable exchange, he asks Norcross to debate him on camera, and in both instances Norcross says he will and then walks away to continue mingling with the crowd.

"What part don't you understand? I want to debate," Norcross says in the video.

"He doesn't want to debate me," Cobb tells the camera.

"Gee, I want to debate; he doesn't get it," Norcross says as he walks away.

"See him running away?" Cobb asks.

Cobb also has a countdown on his website "Donald Ducks the Debate," where he accuses the senator of avoiding requests.

"Norcross wants to avoid a debate because I think, to be blunt, Donald's not prepared to talk in front of people, to think on his feet, all the things you got to do in Washington as a representative," Cobb said in an interview. "I don't know why he's scared; he's been in office, why wouldn't he want to debate?"

Maitland called the claims ridiculous. He said two debates are planned - one Oct. 15 organized by the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce and a second Oct. 31 with the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

"Mr. Cobb's message is not resonating with voters so apparently this is an attempt to get people to notice his campaign," Maitland said.