FURTHER UPDATE: via WGBH:
WGBH announced today that Greater Boston will broadcast a Democratic Senatorial Forum on Monday, November 23 from 7-8pm. Moderated by Emily Rooney, the Forum will feature all four candidates vying for the party's nomination: Congressman Mike Capuano, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Alan Khazei, and Steve Pagliuca. The Forum airs exclusively on WGBH 2/HD and WGBH 89.7.
Throughout the hour, Rooney will ask each individual questions specific to his/her experience, with time allowed for follow-up and input from other candidates. The Forum, oriented toward discussion rather than formal debate, will be taped earlier in the day at the WGBH Studios in Brighton.
Progress.
Good news from WTKK (96.9 FM):
96.9 FM-WTKK's Jim Braude and Margery Eagan will host the only radio debate scheduled between the four democratic candidates in the race for Senator on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 9:00am - 10:00am.... In addition to questions from Jim and Margery, the debate will feature listener questions. Questions must be submitted prior to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday to senatedebate@969wtkk.com.
A radio debate on a weekday at 9 am is good -- better than nothing, certainly -- but of course not enough. There really, really has to be another prime-time televised debate among the four Democratic candidates. Today's Globe reports that the Coakley campaign has been, shall we say, less than enthusiastically working with the other campaigns to find a time. So here's hoping that, instead of taking the usual front-runner's pose of avoiding debates and running out the clock, Team Coakley does the right thing and sets up at least one, and preferably two or three, more televised debates between now and Dec. 8.
Some blame lies with the local TV stations as well:
the campaigns are now also expressing aggravation with media outlets, which, they say, have told them that, because of competitive interests or financial problems, they have not come together to sponsor any major statewide debates. One possible factor: November is sweeps month, when television stations are often loath to broadcast potentially low-viewership specials like political debates.... At least one network affiliate, WCVB-TV, is trying to sponsor its own debate on Dec. 1, which would also be aired by a partner in Western Massachusetts.... Another group of media outlets [which includes NECN, the Globe, WBUR, and WGBH] is also trying to coordinate a debate scheduled for the following day.... Several other local television stations said they have no plans to sponsor primary debates. "We currently do not have any plans to televise a Massachusetts Senate debate," said Maggie Hennessey-Nees, a spokeswoman for Fox 25. "We don't have any plans in the works," said Ro Dooley Webster, spokeswoman for WBZ-TV, which is planning a general election debate.
So kudos to WCVB and to the consortium, who are at least trying. As for the others: I get that, basically, TV is about making money, and a TV station can no doubt bring in more cash by showing a rerun of Survivor than by airing a Senate debate. Still, don't TV stations have some obligation, in exchange for the government-conferred exclusive right to occupy certain broadcast frequencies, to give back a little? Just a little?
UPDATE: Alan Khazei and Steve Pagliuca have sent a letter to all MA media outlets urging more debates (specifically, a debate that would be televised statewide) and offering to help fund them. The letter is on the flip. |
Open Letter to Massachusetts Broadcast and Print Media Outlets
November 9, 2009
Dear Media Outlet:
The special election December 8th primary to replace Edward M. Kennedy in the United States Senate is now less than one month away. As candidates for that office, we have been campaigning across Massachusetts communicating our vision for the future to the voters.
At the same time, we have been patiently waiting and hoping that the spirit of common civic interest that have produced televised statewide candidate debates in previously high-profile elections would materialize. For reasons that aren't clear to us, such an effort has yet to gain momentum and unless something changes very quickly, the voters of Massachusetts will be robbed of the critical opportunity to see the candidates in this election debate.
We believe the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deserve a minimum of two statewide televised debates. Thus far there have been none. We respectfully propose a debate be held in Western Massachusetts on November 20th, and a final debate be held at Faneuil Hall in Boston, on December 3rd or 4th. We believe both these debates should be shown to voters on a statewide basis.
To date there has been just one prime time television debate. Unfortunately for the voters, it wasn't shown outside of the Boston media market and didn't include questions from the media. In tribute to the Senate seat once held by John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, John and Edward Kennedy, we believe the people of Massachusetts deserve a more thorough understanding of the candidates' views on the great many issues that face our nation.
As a sign of our commitment to make these debates a reality, our campaigns are willing to help pay for any reasonable production costs associated with holding the debates and putting them on television.
We hope you will join with us to provide Massachusetts' voters the opportunity to take a good look at the Democratic primary candidates seeking to represent us in the United States Senate.
This is an historic election -- an election to choose the successor to one of the greatest Senators in our country's history. Edward M. Kennedy was the people's Senator, and we believe the people of Massachusetts deserve the chance to see and hear exactly how the candidates for his seat will fulfill his legacy and lead Massachusetts forward.
Sincerely,
Alan Khazei
Steve Pagliuca
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