Annoucement From Tom Collins On Fox News Debate
An email message from Tom Collins received at 11:15 am this morning. Since this message was sent out to state Democrats before the 11:45am Executive Board conference call, I am assuming that this decision was made once again without consulting with the Executive Board. Or did the conference call occur earlier than originally planned?
It looks like the Edwards campaign’s refusal to participate has forced the mysterious decision makers of the NSDP to rethink their position. So the big question now is, will Edwards participate under the new deal?
March 7, 2007
Dear Nevada Democrats:
As you know, the Nevada State Democratic Party has agreed to host a debate with FOX News that has caused some concern among some of our activist allies. Because FOX has such an editorial bias against Democrats, some of our allies believe that we should have chosen another media partner. Senator Reid shares some of these concerns and has asked us to take another look at the parameters of this debate in order to ensure that all Democrats are comfortable as we move forward.
Our objective in hosting the August debate with FOX has not been to endorse the FOX News Channel. Our objective with this debate is the same as our objective in hosting an early Nevada Caucus in general — to have as many opportunities for Nevada voters and voters throughout the West to hear directly from the candidates for president as possible. That is why our first forum was hosted with ABC News as the broadcaster, our November debate will be hosted by CNN and the final debate in January 2008 will be hosted with another outlet.
In planning the debate, the Nevada Democratic Party has been aware of the intricacies of dealing with FOX and so we secured assurances from them that the details of the debate were mutually agreed upon such as format, panelists, set design, and the assurance of an uninterrupted broadcast without commentary. FOX has also agreed to carry the debate live on KVVU, the affiliate in Las Vegas where most Nevada voters live. Other affiliates may follow. We believe that these details will assure that voters have the opportunity to focus on the candidates and the issues and not the panelists or commentators for an uninterrupted 90 minutes.
Since reaching that agreement with FOX we were heartened to hear from so many people who supported our decision to reach out to voters wherever they may be, including those watching FOX News. The state parties of Arizona, Montana, Colorado and New Mexico joined in support of our decision along with DNC Chairman Howard Dean, many members of the Nevada media and the leaders of the Nevada AFL-CIO, Culinary Union and Professional Firefighters Association. While one of our state party’s Executive Board members has been vocally opposed to the debate, several party leaders have expressed support, including:
* Chris Wicker, Washoe County Chair: http://dullardmush.blogspot.com/2007/02/washoe-dem-chair-responds-to-FOX-debate.html
* Tom Gallagher, 2004 candidate for Congress from NV-03 http://www.nvtoday.com/index.php?option=com_content=view=251=
However we decided to take a step back and make our best effort to address the concerns that have been raised including:
* Many Democrats will want to watch or listen to the debate without supporting the FOX News Channel.
* There was a desire to include a panelist from a more progressive outlet, such as Air America, to ensure balance at the questioners table.
* There was also a desire to bolster a progressive media outlet, such as Air America or Politics TV that could use the opportunity to grow its constituency.
In answer to these concerns, we have secured an agreement to invite KJFK radio, the local Air America affiliate, to air the event live and C-Span will be able to carry the debate twice in its entirety after the conclusion of FOX’s broadcast. Additionally, the Nevada Democratic Party has an agreement to invite a local progressive voice onto the debate panel.
We will also offer PolitcsTV.com the ability to carry the live FOX News web cast feed on its site for one-time viewing. If PoliticsTV agrees, this will give national viewers who do not wish to watch FOX the ability to watch the debate live while bolstering a progressive leaning organization.
With these additions, we feel that we have addressed the concerns of our activists and our own objectives:
* To keep the debate focused on the candidates and allow unfiltered access for our viewers.
* To keep the debate focused on the issues important to Nevada voters.
* To ensure that the most people possible have access to the debate and the candidates.
With these changes, we believe we have made a good-faith effort to address the concerns laid out to us and look forward to working with the candidates and our local supporters to ensuring the best debate possible.
Sincerely,
Tom Collins
Chairman,
Nevada Democratic Party
Similar Posts:
- Fox Attacks Obama
- Its Official, Debate Broadcast By Fox Is Off
- Nevada Democratic Party Response On Fox News Debate
Enjoy this post? Leave a comment below or subscribe to my feed. You also can sign up for email delivery by clicking here.
This still sucks. Since the incoming officers are going to be charged with pulling this off, Collins should be taken out of the picture completely.
I agree that the message coming 30 mins before the meeting raises suspicions - again.
Her’s another reason it sucks. If you put a “progressive” questioner into the mix, you make it not only possible, but probablt that the questions become a mixture of softballs and bombs being lobbed at the candidates. It’s still a major mistake for all of you who are complaining about Fox to battle over this. You had nothing to lose, and now that you’ve gotten a few concessions, it’s just going to roll downhill form here. This is becoming a farce.
Any news from the mysterious, super-secret Western Majority Project or is Collins their mouthpiece also?
Monger has a resource on who to write to or you can get it from the FEC docs filed when it became a pac.
Go for it while you’re on a rip!
This so-called concession only came after Edwards said he wasn’t going to attend. That hasn’t changed, and simply adding another voice to the mix will do nothing but legitimize Fox Noise.
That’s why this debate is a farce… it legitimizes Fox Noise as a real news outlet.
Is this statement enough? Poll at http://www.nvupnorth.blogspot.com
Who is the “local progressive voice on the debate panel” supposed to be? Is that you, Myrna?
It’s probably Christiane at KJFK.
So what happened to the frikking conference call?
And why can’t Matt Dickson get an answer to read the contract seeing how he’s on the By Laws Committee and all?
AGAIN, no one is talking, yet!
Myrna, Tom Collins message went out BEFORE the conference call (which was not re-scheduled) - so, AGAIN the Executive Board was NOT even informed until after-the-fact on, yet more, questionable decisions!
What IS REALLY going on here?
That would be funny. Do you think they would let me do it in a burkha?
And what would you be wearing under the burqa?
Other than a smile….
Burkha or not, don’t go!!!
This whole thing is outrageous!
How is a homer lobbing softballs to presidential candidates going to enhance the debate’s image?
“We will also offer PolitcsTV.com the ability to carry the live FOX News web cast feed on its site for one-time viewing.”
Mannat said “No Deal” because Fox shouldn’t own the Democratic content.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tIvcUD9cA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emydd%2Ecom%2F
Burkha’s so Bloggers could publicly participate but maintain there anonymous posture and still hide their secret identities - Hmmmmm, that might be a great idea?
But, you don’t want to come off too dark, ominous or negative, so maybe the Burkha’s could be made to look patriotic? Perhaps made out of the American or Nevada State Flags?
The guys could just wear masks or head and face wrappings, made out of something patriotic? You know we don’t want to look like “terrorist” bloggers now do we?