Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Herschel Walker said he would participate in an Oct. 14 debate in Savannah against U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock amid pressure from his allies and criticism from Democrats who mocked him for refusing to commit to a showdown.
The former football star has hedged for months about whether he’d square off against Warnock, delivering vague statements to reporters and voters when pressed on his stance. Warnock, meanwhile, committed to three debates weeks ago.
During an appearance Tuesday on Fox News, Walker for the first time committed to a specific date, saying he would debate “in front of a crowd” in Warnock’s hometown of Savannah. His campaign said the event would be hosted by WSAV — which is not among the three events Warnock earlier accepted.
“This debate is going to be about the people. It’s not about some political party. It’s not about the press,” Walker said. “But the people need to see the differences between Sen. Warnock and Herschel Walker.”
Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker says he will accept Oct. 14 debate against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Savannah. “I want people to see the difference,” he tells Hannity on Fox News tonight. #gapol #gasen pic.twitter.com/oBbZtoQxwN
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 3, 2022
Warnock campaign manager Quentin Fulks said the Democrat already accepted “three well-established Georgia debates,” including a Savannah showdown hosted by WTOC, after Walker repeatedly said he’d meet his rival anywhere at any time.
“Nothing has changed,” Fulks said. “Rev. Warnock remains committed to debating Herschel Walker and giving Georgians three opportunities to see the clear choice about who is ready to represent Georgia.”
A debate over debates
Walker has long refused to commit to a debate, triggering concerns from senior GOP officials that his reluctance could hurt his chances with wavering Republicans and undecided voters in a tight race that will help determine control of the Senate.
It also opened him up to sharp attacks from Democrats. Warnock launched a TV ad last month labeling the Republican a coward — the 30-second spot was titled “Scared” — and an operative dressed as a chicken squawked outside a recent Walker event.
Credit: File
Credit: File
Warnock, a pastor with extensive rhetorical experience, is eager to meet his rival face-to-face.
The Democrat, who has held slight leads in most recent polls, weeks ago accepted invitations from WTOC in Savannah, Mercer University in Macon and the Atlanta Press Club. It’s not clear whether the other events remain in play.
Walker’s aides have been far more reluctant to commit to a debate, particularly after the Republican faced new questions about his credibility following a series of blunders and meandering remarks on the campaign trail.
Though he said at a recent campaign stop that he hired a coach, Walker has little experience on the debate stage. Ahead of the May GOP primary, he rejected invitations to debates and forums with other Republicans, confident that he would coast to victory over lesser-known opponents.
Still, he repeatedly vowed he would debate Warnock “any day of the week” without agreeing to specifics. Instead, he often moved the goalposts, including remarking last week that he would only debate if it focused on the sweeping Senate proposal addressing climate change and taxes.
Drama and gamesmanship
Georgia’s top candidates have a history of gamesmanship with debates.
Brian Kemp backed out of a final debate with Stacey Abrams during the 2018 race for governor after Donald Trump announced a rally for his campaign. (In this cycle, Kemp has agreed to two statewide debates with Abrams.)
And U.S. Sen. David Perdue famously no-showed the only debate in the 2021 runoff cycle, leaving his opponent, Jon Ossoff, to square off against an empty podium. A few hours later, Warnock tangled with U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a nationally televised debate.
The proposed October debate would include Russ Spencer from Fox 5 and Tina Tyus-Shaw from WSAV as panelists. It is set to be held at a yet-to-be disclosed theater that includes a post-debate spin room where aides can interact with local and national media.
“On Oct. 14 I want Sen. Warnock to be ready,” Walker told Fox News. “Because I’ve accepted a debate and now he can quit talking and show the people that he’s going to stand behind his words and show up for a debate.”
