Yes, it’s true. All three Democratic candidates for Governor have agreed to a televised debate, to be moderated by Channel 4’s Jon Keller. It will air at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 23. No doubt all of twelve voters will be tuning in at that hour on a Sunday morning! More details about format, etc. are on Keller’s blog.
Despite the air time guaranteed (designed??) to attract as few viewers as possible, it’s high time the candidates appeared in a formal debate format. And the timing is fascinating – why is Tom Reilly willing to debate now, after months of dodging Deval Patrick’s repeated invitations to debate? Did he figure that while Patrick’s charismatic persona could make him look stiff and wooden in a one-on-one setting, the addition of the charismatically-challenged Gabrieli to the mix will blunt that effect? Or is he sufficiently worried about Gabrieli’s limitless bank account that he suddenly feels he needs all the free air time he can get? Or is it just a happy coincidence?
Whatever. We’re glad it’s happening. But set the TiVo – I’ll be sound asleep. đŸ™‚
8:30am?????? Why bother to fracking have a debate at all?! I bet a million dollars that this timeslot was Reilly’s doing – his proffered compromise for deigning to appear at the debate at all. Yes, I’m making an assumption here (before you jump down my throat) but it’s certainly none of Deval’s doing, I’d wager my next three hefty client payments on it.
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Are we going to be able to rebroadcast it online or on TV? Who gets copyright to the debate once it’s aired?
I didn’t mean David would jump down my throat, I was directing that to commenters.
Keller usually posts videos of his segments on his blog, so I’m assuming that after it airs it’ll be available on the channel 4 site. Whether you could capture that video and re-air it elsewhere is something you’ll have to take up with Channel 4’s legal staff…
If you really wanted to find out, you could have just asked Jon Keller.
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I did, and he said he does a political interview every week at 8:45 and has done Sunday morning debates in the past.
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No conspiracy here.
I believe Mr Reilly does believe the third wheel will take the focus off of him( do you think hell be the silent bystander?), yes blunt that effect.
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Free airtime or an honest debate of the issues, hmmmmm
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Happy Coincidence, glad I have DVR i can watch it at 10.
There is no way in the world anybody is going to tune in at 8:30AM. How can we find out when the first re-airing of it is?
Why it is so hard to get good people to go into politics. Thomas Jefferson would never have accepted at 8.30 AM timeslot, I am sure of that. Come to think of it, though, John Adams might have been quite OK with it.
…they could air it one Monday night at 9 pm and only folks on this blog would be watching it…and people would be complaining that airing it against “24”.
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I mean we’re 5 full months out from an election and folks are complaining about lack of candidate debates and Sunday morning time slots?
trumps 24! đŸ™‚
A full 3/4 of my town committee will have been up for 2 hours at least. LOL
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But, hey I’m just glad a debate is happening at all this far out from the election.
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So I guess no watch and post, huh? g Sleepyheads.
FrankSkeffington is correct. No one watches the debates at this early date, no matter the time. “Honey, I think the infomercial on how we can make millions is on, this guy Reilly is saying the other two made a bundle without working. Come Quick!”
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What I want to know is whether Patrick wants one or two opponents in September. I know, I know, Tom’s the front runner, but Deval has the power at the convention. If one of the others can’t quite make the first ballot, will Deval give him the old ten fingers?