After refusing for weeks to face his Republican opponent in a debate, Gov. Cuomo has finally agreed to go up against Marc Molinaro in a pretaped TV face-off.
Cuomo — whom The Post portrayed in a chicken suit on Page 1 for four consecutive days over his reluctance to go mano-a-mano — had tried to scratch his way out of trouble earlier Sunday by offering a radio debate, which would have taken place on Tuesday morning.
But he finally yielded late Sunday night, and offered Molinaro a TV debate that would be taped on Tuesday 1:30 p.m. in the studios of WCBS/Channel 2 and air that night at 7 p.m. on the local affiliate and on radio, according to his spokeswoman, Lis Smith. The taped debate would also be offered to CBS affiliates throughout the state.
Political reporter Marcia Kramer would moderate and WCBS 880 radio’s Rich Lamb would questioning the candidates.
Molinaro did not respond to a request for comment on whether he’d accept that format.
He was certainly no fan of the WCBS radio debate that Cuomo had offered.
“This is a fraud,” Molinaro’s campaign spokesman, David Catalfamo, said.
Cuomo, who is seeking a third term, is heavily favored to win.
A Quinnipiac University poll released last week showed him leading Molinaro, 58 percent to 35 percent, thanks to a 64-point advantage in New York City and a 7-point advantage in the downstate suburbs. Molinaro was 10 points ahead upstate.
Molinaro’s uphill trek is compounded by a massive fundraising disadvantage. Cuomo has 45 times more campaign cash on hand — $9 million to $200,000 — for the final stretch, according to the most recent financial disclosures.
Election Day is in 15 days — Tuesday, Nov. 6.
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