One Sided Debate

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Vallone debated himself Sunday, while Governor Pataki campaigned upstate. Because Pataki declined to attend the debate at WNBC in New York City, Vallone had the studio to himself for a half-hour interview. He called the Republican incumbent a --quote-- "hologram" for dodging campaign debates and taking credit for programs actually created by President Clinton and others. Pataki, meanwhile, said he would've attended the debate had Vallone focused more on the issues in recent weeks. At a G-O-P campaign stop in Albany, he said Vallone never stopped with the personal attacks, so he decided not to debate him. But Vallone said it was Pataki who didn't want to talk the issues -- specifically Vallone's plan to provide health care for all New Yorkers. Instead, Vallone says the governor took credit for a limited health plan made possible by federal money.