After initially panning Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s offer to debate on the radio, Reshma Saujani has agreed to square off on the air against her Democratic target on Sept. 7 – exactly one week before the primary.

“We have called the organizers of the September 7th WWRL debate and accepted their invitation,” said Saujani’s campaign spokesman James Allen.

“This is a victory for all New Yorkers, who deserve the opportunity to hear – and see – the candidates debate. We will work to ensure that everyone has access to the debate, even if they can’t listen live.”

NOTE: Just to be clear, Saujani didn’t outright reject Maloney’s debate, but didn’t immediately accept it, either. See her campaign’s initial response after the jump.

Allen said the campaign is still negotiating with WWRL over the debate’s details and format. He insisted calls to Maloney’s campaign have not been returned – in spite of Maloney’s claim that the two sides are talking.

And just in case you weren’t clear: Saujani still wants to debate her opponent in a more traditional setting – perferably on TV.

“The Maloney campaign also continues to stall on several outstanding debate invitations from respected third-party organizations and media outlets, all of which we have accepted,” Allen said.

“After 18 years in office, the least Congresswoman Maloney can do is participate in a number of public debates to explain her record on critical issues. New Yorkers deserve no less.”

Here’s what Allen had to say about the WWRL debate last night:

“We’re glad Maloney for Congress agrees with Maloney for Senate that ‘there needs to be a debate on the real issues and (Maloney) wants to give voters a choice.’”

“But let’s be clear about the Maloney campaign strategy: the WWRL debate is scheduled to occur in the middle of a weekday on a radio station with no television cameras, at a time when most New Yorkers are at work.”

“Congresswoman Maloney is out of touch – because we need a debate that will be seen by the voters in the district, a proposal that’s already been put forward by a number of respected third-party groups. The Maloney campaign should explain why they have yet to accept other debates in public forums or on television.”

“We’re currently in discussions with WWRL about the September 7th debate logistics. Despite what Congresswoman Maloney told WNBC, we have not had any conversations with her campaign. Our campaign left multiple messages this afternoon for Matt Tepper, Maloney’s campaign manager, and our calls were not returned. We look forward to hearing from him.”

Share|