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Asked about whether he would agree to debate Paladino, Cuomo raised the possibility of requiring that Lazio, who may still run
in November on the minor party line, be part of the debate. Cuomo wouldn’t respond when told that tactic is usually done to dilute the opposition’s message and air time.
When pressed, Cuomo wouldn’t say if he will debate.
“As soon as the question was asked, I said I was open to debate and the campaigns would talk about it. That was just last week,” Cuomo said, with six weeks left in the campaign. “Open to debating’ means I’m open to debating, just what the words suggest… that really isn’t a legitimate issue.”
Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo said Cuomo’s campaign was not negotiating. “They are ducking me,” Paladino said.