Schneider, Dold to debate -- but only on TV
Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider and Republican challenger Robert Dold will discuss the issues facing the nation and the 10th District in two televised debates this week.
The matchups are the only instances Dold, of Kenilworth, and Schneider, of Deerfield, will debate face-to-face before the Nov. 4 election. They've appeared at the same events but have not fielded questions or debated side-by-side.
That's rankled Dold. who repeatedly has challenged Schneider to debate publicly.
“Why are you not being more transparent?” Dold said during an interview with the Daily Herald editorial board in September.
Dold's campaign criticized Schneider last month for sending a news release announcing the Democrat's appearance at “five debates and forums” before Election Day.
“Congressman Schneider is once again trying to dupe the public and the press with half truths while making a mockery of the transparency and honesty that 10th District voters deserve,” Dold campaign manager James Slepian said in a subsequent release.
When asked this week about the lack of debates in front of live public audiences, Schneider campaign spokeswoman Staci McCabe said the TV debates and live forums Schneider is attending will help voters “see a contrast between Brad's record and Bob Dold's reliable Republican record.”
She didn't say why Schneider isn't meeting Dold face-to-face in front of live audiences.
The first debate is Saturday at the ABC 7 studios in Chicago. It will be recorded that morning and air on the network at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Schneider and Dold will return to Chicago on Wednesday for a live debate on the WTTW TV program “Chicago Tonight.” It will air at 7 p.m.
Schneider and Dold are squaring off in a rematch of the 2012 election. Schneider narrowly beat Dold that year, unseating the freshman lawmaker.
Schneider is scheduled to appear at a forum for Democratic candidates at 10 a.m. Sunday at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road in Highland Park. Dold is set to appear at a similar event for Republican candidates at the synagogue Oct. 26.
The candidates also are set to appear separately at a political forum in North Chicago Sunday, Oct. 26. It will begin at 3 p.m. at the Queen of Peace Gymnasium, 910 14th St.
Candidates for other political offices are on the schedule, too.
Last month, Schneider and Dold appeared onstage separately at a candidate forum at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. They also appeared separately at a candidate forum in Deerfield Oct. 6.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties. It stretches from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs.