Scott Brown Demurs On Debate Reschedule, Elizabeth Warren Open To It

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) brushed off questions Tuesday about rescheduling the fourth and final Massachusetts Senate debate, which was set for Tuesday before both he and challenger Elizabeth Warren canceled because of Hurricane Sandy.

"We've already had three debates," Brown told reporters while touring storm damage in Westport, Mass., according to The Boston Globe. "There's only a few days left, and we have a very, very busy schedule," he added.

That's a turnabout from Brown's response this past Friday, when he said he'd be able to make the fourth debate. "That's why I have a truck," he told WBZ. "You know it has four-wheel drive. If she needs a ride, I'm happy to pick her up, and I'll be there, providing the electricity is on."

Warren's campaign, on the other hand, is open to rescheduling. "Our focus over the next 48 hours must be on public safety and holding the utilities accountable for restoring power as soon as possible," said Warren campaign manager Mindy Myers in a statement Tuesday. "Elizabeth believes that the final televised debate should occur, and we have contacted the debate organizers and let them know she would be available to participate on Thursday evening."

Brown's campaign did not immediately return a request for comment. Boston public television station WGBH, where the debate was to be held, was also awaiting a response from his campaign, according to a blog post on the station's website.

A consortium of media outlets organized the debate, which was set to be moderated by CNN's John King, a Boston native and former Associated Press political reporter in the city.

Also on Tuesday, Suffolk University released a poll showing Warren leading Brown by 7 percentage points. Moreover, her favorable ratings top those of the senator, who has banked much of his campaign on his personal popularity.