Alaska Senate candidate mocked for using notes in debate

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 08:39 · Archive

Mary Peltola, a Democratic former congresswoman, faced criticism for apparently using notecards during a televised Senate debate with Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.

Mary Peltola, a Democratic former congresswoman, faced ridicule Thursday night after appearing to read from notecards during a Senate debate with Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in Alaska. Sullivan is in an unusually close race with Peltola, further complicated by another candidate with his same name but a different middle initial.

Sullivan and Republican commentators quickly seized on Peltola's apparent use of prepared notes. Sullivan wrote on social media: 'Really, Mary? Reading off a script? You can't cue-card your way through the Senate.' NRSC official Joanna Rodriguez posted: 'Mary, blink twice if you are okay. It seems you can't string a sentence together without reading from the talking points your Lower 48 handlers wrote you.'

After Peltola appeared to reference her notecard again during the debate, Sullivan interjected by asking the moderators whether the candidates were supposed to receive the debate questions beforehand. Both moderators—Alaska's News Source reporter Wil Courtney and Alaska Public Media chief editor Lori Townsend—confirmed they had not provided advance questions.

How it is being reported

• Alaska Dem Senate hopeful Mary Peltola mocked for using ‘cue cards’ in high-stakes debate"You can't cue-card your way through the Senate," Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan wrote.New York Post · 16 Oct, 08:28
• Democrat's debate 'cue cards' steal spotlight in high-stakes Senate clashMary Peltola's apparent use of cue cards during her Alaska Senate debate with Dan Sullivan sparked a wave of GOP mockery and a pointed on-stage exchange.Fox News · 16 Oct, 06:13

In this story: Mary Peltola · Dan Sullivan · Alaska · NRSC

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