TV dilemma: Senate debate or Pats game?

October 20, 2008 02:55 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By John C. Drake, Globe Staff

Bay Staters have a tough call to make tonight.

Watch the New England Patriots clash with the Denver Broncos, or watch US Senator John F. Kerry take on GOP challenger Jeff Beatty in the candidates' only televised debate.

The hour-long exchange between the candidates begins at 8 p.m. on New England Cable News. Kickoff of the Patriots-Broncos game is at 8:30 p.m. on WCVB-Channel 5 locally and ESPN nationally. The campaigns had agreed on the date, and the 8 p.m. slot was what NECN was offering.

Kerry spokeswoman Brigid O'Rourke said the campaign is hoping residents will be willing to forgo the first 30 minutes of the football game to see the candidates' full exchange.

"It only overlaps with the game for 30 minutes, and we're confident that Cassel and company will run up a great lead to make sure that those who join after the debate will have a nice, comfortable game to watch, unlike last night's game," O'Rourke said, referring to the Red Sox defeat in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

A spokeswoman for Beatty, a Harwich Army veteran and counter-terrorism consultant, joked that they're confident they'll have an audience of at least one.

"We know Tom Brady will be watching," said Beatty spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger.
Patriots starting quarterback Brady went out with a season-ending knee injury in the team's season opener.

Beatty and Kerry will square off in a radio debate Oct. 27 on Boston's WTKK 96.9 FM.

SURVEY Which event will you watch?