Petition for more debates

[Renew Deal]

I am not saying I am for this.

http://www.petitiononline.com/debate/petition.html

To: Terry McAuliffe, Chairman, DNC
There have been no debates since the New Hampshire primary and none are scheduled for the rest of the race. We need another one.

Three-quarters of the nation's Democrats have not voted and no candidate has anywhere close to the 2,161 delegates needed for the nomination. The more each voter is able to see all the candidates and to hear their different positions, the better each and every voter will be able to make this crucial choice. But with the shortened primary schedule, many candidates have been unable to reach the voters of all the states. The choice of the Democratic nominee should not be boiled down to a test of who can raise the most money to advertise in the most states. Scheduling a debate in Wisconsin prior to the Feb. 17 primary would give us all a chance to best decide who we want to be our next President.

The decision of who should represent the Democratic Party in November is not one that should be taken lightly or rushed. Much of the media and many pundits are ready to declare the race over, even though most Democrats haven't had a chance to make their decision. The voters of Wisconsin, the voters of the "Super Tuesday States," as well as the voters of all the remaining states deserve a chance to hear the candidates discuss and debate their views on the many important issues facing our country -- just as the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire, and other early primary states were afforded that opportunity.

Further, the debates held to this point have already helped the party as a whole to strengthen its message and has helped to weaken President Bush. More debates would help the entire Democratic party and bring the eventual nominee even closer to victory this Fall.

We therefore request a debate be held the weekend of Feb. 13-15 so the voters of Wisconsin -- and the millions of Democrats nationwide who haven't yet voted -- can decide who they want to face President Bush in November. We also request that debates be scheduled regularly for as long as no candidate has received enough delegates to win.


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/debate/petition.html

[goodhue]

1. but there are more debates!

This sunday and then the sunday thereafter.
The petition I've seen before and frankly confuses me.

[goodhue]

2. http://www.wisconsindebate.com/

http://www.wisconsindebate.com/

There will be a nationally televised presidential candidate debate in Milwaukee Feb. 15, 2004, two days before the Wisconsin open presidential primary. The debate, titled Wisconsin Presidential Debate 2004, is sponsored by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WTMJ-TV, and Journal Communications, Inc. (NYSE:JRN).

The 90-minute debate, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. will be hosted by Marquette University and will be held in the Alumni Memorial Union on Marquette's campus in Milwaukee.

Democratic presidential hopefuls have been invited to participate in the debate.

The debate will be broadcast live on NBC affiliate TODAY'S TMJ4 and to a national audience on MSNBC. TODAY'S TMJ4 Anchorman, Mike Gousha will moderate and will be joined by a panel of journalists, including Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel Washington Bureau Chief; Lester Holt, MSNBC News daytime news anchor, and Gloria Borger, co-anchor of CNBC's "Capital Report" program.

[goodhue]

3. http://www.lwvct.org/voters/dem-debate.htm

http://www.lwvct.org/voters/dem-debate.htm

DEBATE FEBRUARY 22

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS), a nonpartisan political organization, has announced their sponsorship of a televised live debate among the leading Democratic candidates for President of the United States , on Sunday, February 22, 2004 , in Los Angeles .

The program will broadcast on KNBC and be provided to NBC stations across the country, as well as MSNBC and Telemundo nationally. In addition, the debate will be made available to all other media, including broadcast and cable networks.

To be presented before a live audience at the Museum of Tolerance, the event will be moderated by KNBC News’ Los Angeles anchor Paul Moyer, and will also feature a panel of respected journalists to pose questions of the candidates. Los Angeles cable station LA 36 will provide the media feed to NBC and other outlets live from 5 pm to 6 pm.

“The League provides the debate with a unique credibility and assurance of balanced fair play,” said Kay J. Maxwell, president, LWVUS. “It is important that voters have the opportunity to hear from the Democratic presidential candidates vying for the world’s most powerful position,” she added.

[pop goes the weasel]

5. The real shame

is that none of the debates are shown on broadcast channels. Is the message that only people who pay for cable have the right to know anything about the folks running for office?

Maybe the FCC can "punish" CBS for Janet's exposure by making them air debates in prime time.

[goodhue]

4. the real question is whether Kerry will show up

to the 2/15 and 2/22 debates.
DK will be there.
Interesting to see how MSNBC will handle it if Kerry bypasses.