Even though Republican candidate Tom Foley is so far refusing to take part, NBC CT has announced plans to go ahead with its scheduled gubernatorial debate on October 23 with or without him.
It means Governor Dan Malloy could end up sharing the stage with independent petitioning candidate Joe Visconti. The decision would give Visconti the most exposure he has had throughout the campaign and give Malloy an opportunity to attack Foley, without rebuttal on statewide television, for an extended period.
On the surface it would seem like a bad decision by the Foley campaign, but no doubt he and his team have calculated the downside. With the most recent polls showing a dead heat, perhaps team Foley will change its current strategy. A spokesman for Malloy says the governor will be there.
