BOSTON – Today, Jim Barnett, campaign manager for Scott Brown, sent the following letter to the Kennedy Institute accepting their debate invitation on the conditions that Vicki Kennedy remain neutral throughout the duration of the Senate race and that the media sponsors are changed to exclusively local Massachusetts media outlets:
June 18, 2012
Dear Ms. McBirney:
First, let me say how much we appreciate the invitation from Vicki Kennedy to participate in a debate at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Ever since we received Mrs. Kennedy’s invitation, we have been giving it serious consideration and thought. We are hopeful that you will agree to conditions that will allow us to accept.
As the President of the Board of Trustees, Vicki Kennedy assured us in her June 8 letter that the Kennedy Institute is “non-partisan” and would therefore be an appropriate setting for a Senate debate. In order to proceed, we need to know that in keeping with the spirit of neutrality expressed in Vicki Kennedy’s letter that she will not endorse or otherwise get involved in this race.
Furthermore, while we accept Tom Brokaw as a moderator, we prefer debates with local media sponsors, not out-of-state cable networks with a reputation for political advocacy. We are confident that issue can be easily addressed as there are a number of Massachusetts media outlets that would be willing to sponsor a debate such as the one you are proposing for the Kennedy Institute, and I’m sure they would be pleased to have Mr. Brokaw as moderator.
Sincerely,
Jim Barnett
Campaign Manager
Scott Brown for U.S. Senate
