Remember right after the June primary when Democrat Jerry Brown said he'd debate Republican Meg Whitman any time, any place? Whitman has agreed to a Fresno debate on Oct. 2 at Fresno State. But Brown's gubernatorial campaign today would only say the debate is under consideration.
The Fresno debate will be sponsored by The Bee, Univision, the Fresno-Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the city of Fresno and Fresno State. (Full disclosure: I have attended many of the planning sessions for the debate as a representative of The Bee). This is the same group that sponsored the July 1 town hall in Fresno with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Brown's reluctance to commit to the Fresno debate is curious given that he previously challenged Whitman to 10 debates around the state. Brown had informally told officials of the Fresno debate committee that he would appear.
This debate, which would be broadcast statewide by Univision's California's affiliates, would give the candidates a chance to appeal to Hispanic voters. Both campaigns have said they are targeting that group as part of their overall campaign strategy. The debate would be translated in Spanish for Univision viewers.
Brown will ultimately agree to this debate for one simple reason. It would be really dumb for him to pass on a chance to appear before a statewide audience of Hispanic voters. Besides, he needs all the free television he can get. Whitman will have plenty of money to get her message out.
Whitman and Brown have agreed to participate in two other debates. On Sept. 28, they are scheduled to debate at the University of California at Davis and on Oct. 11, they are scheduled for Dominican University in San Rafael.
The Valley debate committee tried to organize a primary election encounter between Whitman and Republican rival Steve Poizner. That debate fell apart when Whitman declined. Poizner had accepted the debate invitation.
The group also sponsored the July 1 town hall meeting in Fresno with Gov. Schwarzenegger. The governor took questions from the audience and the town hall was broadcast statewide to Univision affiliates.
You said it yourself, Brown had informally told officials of the Fresno debate committee that he would appear. So, why the flagrant misleading title??
Regarding Anthony's above comment: Brown's campaign today would not confirm that he would debate Whitman in Fresno on Oct. 2. Today's statement by the Brown campaign came after Whitman announced this morning that she will attend the debate. The Brown campaign said the debate in Fresno is "under consideration."
Brown should say yes to the Fresno debate. Whitman should say yes to a Southern California debate, maybe two, one in Los Angeles, another in Orange County and maybe a third in San Diego near the border.
I would like to see any debates include candidates from the other political parties to keep it fair. They have a right to be heard too.
Tony,
"A right to be heard"? I've got the freedom of speech thing down, but I don't think forcing anyone to listen is part of it. (not that I have anything against candidates from minor parties being included in debates)