OMG – please podcast this…
Radio talk show host Dan Gaffney called a segment of his Aug. 28 morning show “damned odd,” while Republicans locked in a primary battle for the Sussex County 5th District council seat called the show “crazy” and “surreal.”
Call it what you want – bad timing, miscommunication or a calculated election-year ploy – an exchange on a local radio talk show has ignited swirling controversy.
During the segment, the two Republican candidates running for the District 5 seat both used up airtime. According to Gaffney, one of the two – incumbent Vance Phillips of Laurel – was not invited during that time slot. About half way through a scheduled interview and call-in session with Republican challenger Rob Arlett of Frankford, Phillips entered the studio and put on headphones.
Arlett welcomed Phillips, although he later said he was surprised to see him. Phillips said he was under the impression he was scheduled to debate Arlett, but would leave if asked.
After about 15 minutes of air time – including some testy exchanges between Phillips and Gaffney – the talk show host asked Phillips to leave the studio.
Gaffney told Phillips that the time had been allotted to Arlett, and a planned debate had been rescheduled at Phillips’ request because he was scheduled for day surgery that morning. Phillips said the procedure had been rescheduled to the afternoon.
“He told me point-blank to pick another day,” Gaffney said after his show. “I really don’t think he is thinking clearly.”