Challenger Stephan Fogleman wants to debate Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy on the airwaves of some of Baltimore?s largest talk radio stations, WBAL and WYPR.
But Jessamy wants nothing to do with such a proposal.
“I do not believe that a radio interview format would provide the proper time and setting for a debate on the many substantive issues facing our citizens in Baltimore,” Jessamy wrote Friday in an e-mail to Fogleman.
Both Jeff Beauchamp, vice president and station manager at WBAL, and Jessica Phillips, producer of the “Marc Steiner Show” on WYPR, said they would be interested in possibly airing a program in which both candidates could discuss the issues.
For Jessamy, such a format could be unfair and not lead to a true discussion of the issues, said Margaret Burns, a spokeswoman for the State?s Attorney?s Office.
“She?s very willing to debate, but it?s unheard of to have a debate on the radio,” Burns said. “A radio format isn?t really a form of debate, because there are commercials, and the host?s opinion and commentary and breaking news.”
Jessamy is willing to square off with Fogleman at community forums, held by groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and League of Women Voters, Burns said.
“These type [of] debates provide all our citizens the opportunity to hear from each candidate on topics that are of vital interest to Baltimore,” Jessamy wrote in her letter to Fogleman.
A Canton resident, Fogleman, who has a law practice in Glen Burnie, said he filed for the office out of frustration with Jessamy?s performance in Baltimore City.
“Based on her record, I just could not stand seeing her get a free pass from the voters,” Fogleman said.
“… She has an incredibly embarrassing conviction rate in Baltimore in jury trials. We need to be more successful.”
He said community forums attract only dozens of residents, but a radio debate could be listened to by thousands.
“I don?t understand how a forum where 36 people watch is preferable to a format where everyone with a clock radio can listen,” he said.
Fogleman said he plans to search for other venues to engage Jessamy.
“While I do not necessarily agree with you regarding radio not providing enough time or an appropriate setting, I will seek alternate locations as you desire,” he wrote in an e-mailed reply to Jessamy.
