Cruz, O’Rourke not debating Friday

The proposed Senate debate Friday in Dallas between Democrat challenger Beto O’Rourke and Republican incumbent Ted Cruz is not going to happen after all.

That’s according to O’Rourke, speaking with the Texas Tribune on Monday.

O’Rourke’s confirmation was merely a formality, considering the congressman’s office announced that he is going to be in Horizon City on Aug. 31 for a town hall.

Several months ago, O’Rourke challenged Cruz to six debates. Cruz responded with a proposal for five, all on Friday nights. The El Paso congressman disagreed with the schedule due to the importance of high school football in Texas.

Both candidates have expressed a desire to debate, but the campaigns haven’t been able to publicly agree on details.

Meanwhile, Cruz has released an advertisement in response to his Senate opponent’s stance on the NFL protests. Cruz’s ad features the viral video of O’Rourke at a recent town hall defending players who take a knee during the national anthem. O’Rourke said he could “think of nothing more American.”

Cruz’s ad shows Vietnam Veteran Tim Lee, who disagrees with O’Rourke and says all able-bodied Americans should stand for the flag and National Anthem.

“I gave two legs to this country and I’m not able to stand, but I sure expect you to stand for me when that national anthem is being played. In November, where will you stand?”

Election day is November 6th.