Scott and Nelson blame each other as CNN forum called off

Senate debate canceled due to disagreement on a new date

A CNN-hosted debate between Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott — which had already been delayed due to Hurricane Michael — has now been called off.

The two Senate candidates took to Twitter with the news, pointing the blame at one another, while CNN in a statement said only that the candidates were “unable to agree on a new date.”

Nelson tweeted that Scott had refused to debate before Monday’s start of in-person early voting, “But we still intend to hold him accountable for the poor job he’s done and for stuffing his pockets in office.”

Meanwhile, Scott said Nelson had “duck[ed]” the debate, refusing to reschedule after the intial delay. The debate had initially been slated for Tuesday and was to be their second and final debate.

“Sad but not surprising,” Scott tweeted. “I hope he reconsiders. Senate won’t be in session – can’t imagine what’s more important than talking to voters.”

CNN had planned to have anchor Wolf Blitzer moderate an hour-long debate from the Tampa studios of WEDU, a PBS member station.

In the hard-fought campaign’s sole debate, which took place at the Telemundo 51 studios in Miramar Oct. 2, Scott painted Nelson as a donothing senator, while Nelson questioned Scott’s integrity.

The race is among the most closely watched U.S. Senate contests in the country, as a Republican victory over the incumbent Democrat could help the GOP maintain or expand its slim majority.

Polling averages and forecast sites have Nelson leading — but only slightly.