Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday challenged Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera to a debate over immigration.
During an , Patrick accused CNN, MSNBC, most of the print media and the Democrats of being accomplices in the . Authorities have said the University of Iowa student was killed by an undocumented immigrant. His legal status is in dispute.
In blaming the media, Patrick specifically pointed a finger at Rivera.
鈥淚鈥檝e never met the guy. I seem to like him, seems like he鈥檚 got a good heart,鈥� Patrick said. 鈥淵ou know, I saw him here on Fox [say], 鈥榃ell, I feel badly about this but ...鈥� There is no but!鈥�
He then challenged Rivera to a debate on immigration.
After his TV appearance, the lieutenant governor took to Twitter to provide specifics of his debate challenge, which included a date (September) and place (Fox News host Sean Hannity鈥檚 show).
I am ready to debate . We immediately called but they haven鈥檛 put this together yet. Let me be clear. A 7 minute segment is not a debate. I will fly to NYC for 30 mins, face to face, Sept 4 or 5. Hope will graciously host.
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick)
Just 15 minutes later, Rivera responded.
I agree to these terms. Let鈥檚 see and hear who has the moral and legal high ground
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera)
The quick arrangement is a reminder that Patrick has so far his Democratic opponent, , in the race for lieutenant governor. Collier says he wishes Patrick would debate him instead.
鈥淲ell, I think that鈥檚 almost comical, isn鈥檛 it?鈥� Collier said in an interview with KUT. 鈥淚 mean Geraldo is not running against him. If I鈥檓 not mistaken, Geraldo Rivera is a New Yorker, and if I鈥檓 not mistaken, Geraldo Rivera is a TV personality. So that debate is a farce.鈥�
Collier said he has already accepted an invitation to a debate offered by the Fox affiliate in Houston. Patrick has not.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and his Democratic challenger, Lupe Valdez, have also been unable to agree on a debate in the fall.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Beto O鈥橰ourke, are still negotiating debate possibilities.
