SENATOR VITALE CALLS FOR DEMOCRATIC SENATE DEBATE ON HEALTH CARE
Democratic Leader Wants Healthy Debate on Issues Vital to All New Jerseyans

WOODBRIDGE -- State Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) today called on U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg to debate his Democratic Primary opponent, Congressman Rob Andrews, to provide New Jersey's voters ample opportunity to examine the candidates' positions on the issues, especially health care.

"In order to fix our failing national health care system, what is debated and accomplished in Washington over the next few years will be crucial to our efforts here in New Jersey," Vitale said. "We need to know what we can expect in the next term from our United States senator, and there is no better way of finding out than through a face-to-face debate."

Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, has been one of the legislature's leading advocates of universal health care and has recently offered his own plan to ensure that all New Jerseyans have access to reliable and affordable health care.

"Across America, voters are asking Senators Clinton and Obama what they will do as president to fix our growing health care problems," Vitale said. "They have held 21 debates to discuss the issue and propose solutions. When 47 million Americans, including 1.4 million New Jerseyans (one in eight persons), are uninsured, it is critical that we hear from our Senate candidates and listen to them debate those same issues. After all, the United States Senate will play a crucial role in shaping solutions."

"The Lautenberg campaign has said they believe debates are important to illustrate the clear differences between the candidates. If so, what is holding Sen. Lautenberg back? He has yet to agree to a single debate. Congressman Andrews has said he will debate whenever and wherever he is asked. I respectfully ask Senator Lautenberg to come forward and accept all of these debates as he has in previous campaigns. The voters of New Jersey deserve a clear airing of the candidates' ideas for solutions to the very serious problems facing all of us."

Congressman Andrews has accepted 11 invitations to debate across the state while his opponent has yet to accept one.