The effect of Zeese's accusation is difficult to assess. The effect may depend on whether the Steele campaign chooses to echo it. At the candidates' previous debate, Steele accused Cardin of ignoring Zeese. So, it would not be surprising if the Steele campaign suggested again that Cardin, as a member of the Washington establishment, was practicing "politics as usual," which in this case means denying third party candidates a voice. Steele's highlighting of the Zeese candidacy at the earlier debate also suggests that the Steele campaign sees Zeese as more likely to draw votes from Cardin than from Steele.

As for the debate opportunity itself, it may well have been that Cardin and Steele were not available the same morning. It is also possible that Cardin, who arguably lacks the "style" of Steele, was not especially interested in appearing with the Republican. Given the conservative tilt of AM talk radio in Baltimore, Cardin also may have felt he had little to gain through that medium.