Pascrell, Boteach Debate on Sunday Morning
Sunday, October 14, 2012 • 2:19pm
TENAFLY, NJ – Democrat Bill Pascrell and Republican Shmuley Boteach faced off Sunday morning in the first of three debates in the campaign for the 9th district congressional seat.
The two of them battled over economic and foreign policy issues, including United States support for Israel and Pascrell’s support for Mohammad Qatanani, the Iman of the Islamic Center of Passaic County.
Boteach, a rabbi and media personality from Englewood, criticized Pascrell for opposing the federal government’s attempts to deport Qatanani, according to a story on nj.com.
"You don't have any proof that what you say is correct," Pascrell said of Boteach’s condemnation of the Iman, according to the nj.com story. "And I am not going to renounce anyone on hearsay."
Boteach, meanwhile, attacked Pascrell as being part of the “Democratic establishment,’’ according to a story on northjersey.com.
Pascrell, Paterson’s former mayor, is a 16-year incumbent.
There are other debates scheduled later this month. On Mon. Oct. 22, the candidates will be facing off at School 19 in Passaic at 7 pm and on Thurs. Oct. 25 at Gallery 1&9 in Ridgefield at 6:30 pm.
