Hoffman camp explains absence from debate
The Plattsburgh Press-Republican reported this morning that Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman sat out last night's forum at SUNY Plattsburgh because of public radio's involvement.
But Rob Ryan, Hoffman's campaign spokesman, made comments to the Press-Republican about 30 minutes before the event that suggested North Country Public Radio's involvement was the reason Hoffman did not attend.
"North Country Public Radio is the perfect venue to decide who is the most liberal candidate in the race," Ryan said, adding that Hoffman would participate in a televised debate in Syracuse today.
In an email to NCPR today, Ryan disputed this account. He said the campaign had no concerns about NCPR or the structure of the format.
The reason we weren’t there was we had individuals to meet and calls to make to get local Republicans to endorse Doug….nothing to with format or anything else…
Labels: election09
posted by Brian Mann @ 10/29/2009 09:46:00 AM
17 Comments
17 Comments:
Interesting. Hoffman also said he supported the selection of DeDe Scozzafava, at first. Then he changed his mind.
The guy, and his camp, are flexible.
Excellent job on the forum...The remarks allegedly made by Mr. Hoffman's aide--i.e., that the forum was not of interest to the Hoffman campaign because NCPR is too liberal--I find this remarkably thin. NCPR could not have grown as it has over the past two decades--in a largely Republican region--if we were biased or unfair in our handling of political stories. If the accusation was really made by the Hoffman camp, I find it patently thin and a bit pathetic.
Ellen Rocco,
Station Manager, NCPR
While not a North Country resident, I am (like many) interested in this race. After listening to the NCPR re-broadcast of the debate, I really must congratulate N.C. voters for having the choice of two candidates so informed and articulate about pressing N.C. issues. I was impressed with their assurance in responding to multiple topics, addressing very complex issues. These candidates clearly know you and care about the well-being of N.C. residents. Regardless of how you vote you are assured of having solid representation with either of them.
I just love all the (undocumented) complaints about NCPR being too liberal. I sure wish that were the case. Like all public radio, NCPR is relentlessly, blandly cautious, and as radical as a PTA bake sale.
To most people on the right, if you point out republican or conservative incompetence--like, say, the fact that there were no WMDs in Iraq--then that makes you liberal. Since when is stating a fact liberal? Oh, wait, given recent history, I guess sticking to the facts IS liberal.
It's too bad that Hoffman is more interested in chatting with the far right media elite about their pet issues than with the voters of the 23rd about theirs. But the office he's running for is that of the people's representative, not that of darling of the punditocracy. Or at least that's what he says he's running for.
Ellen, don't worry about it. The far right's constant blaming of the media for being "liberal" is less a belief, I think, that a tactic. They are trying to intimidate the media into not showing as much scrutiny of conservative candidates as of moderates and liberals. The moment that partisan ideologues start calling you fair, then that's when I'd start to worry.
Ellen,
It's called "working the refs." It's a tactic to get media entities scared of being called the dirty word "liberal" on their heels so they won't call conservatives on things like, for instance, not showing up at a debate.
And it works!
Because you're finding yourself on the defensive.
Truth has a liberal bias
NCPR is not but most mass media is biased in favor of the left. I don't have to document anything. BTW how should I go about that? If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck to I have to document that to prove it is a duck?
So a candidate dares to not bow before the politics-obsessed and opinionated Brian Mann. There are times when a thoughtful debate is great, but not showing up for a debate doesn't disqualify you if you're communicating with them through another venue.
would I vote for Doug Hoffman? No. but not because he isn't on the village green of my choice. No one can say he hasn't put his views across, of made his verse heard. NCPR is local, and I understand their frustration with him snubbing his nose at them. However, NCPR is not the voice of the north country for many, and there are credible choices they don't promote.
October 29, 2009 11:15 AM
Blogger Gromit said...
I just love all the (undocumented) complaints about NCPR being too liberal. I sure wish that were the case. Like all public radio, NCPR is relentlessly, blandly cautious, and as radical as a PTA bake sale.
To most people on the right, if you point out republican or conservative incompetence--like, say, the fact that there were no WMDs in Iraq--then that makes you liberal. Since when is stating a fact liberal? Oh, wait, given recent history, I guess sticking to the facts IS liberal.
October 29, 2009 11:56 AM"
The facts are Station Manager Rocco has repeatedly professed her "progressive" values. The most blatant example was the on the air attack of those people at the County bldg who found the gay posters offensive. That was completely over the top and cost the station any support I may have reconsidered giving.
Lets not even pretend it didn't happen Ellen.
That aside, I wish Hoffman had gone to the debate. I'm again stuck with voting for the one who will do the least harm.
There is no excuse for Hoffman not to have been there. None. Unless Hubris is now the qualifying character to be an elected official.
Conservatives consider any radio station that does not play three hours of Limbaugh, followed by three hours of Beck, followed by three hours of Hannity to be biased liberal media. Different view points expressed through rational thought is not a Conservative principle. One Party, One rule , One way is their foundation.
A man who wants to lead, but is afraid of a few questions from a local radio station. How sad is that?
Anon 6:46PM- You're way over simplifying. Rush is just an RNC lapdog and Hannity is a yappy little dog. Believe it or not some of us do have IQ's over 150 and can see both sides of the spectrum. But given a choice between the group that WILL put it's hand deeper in my pocket and the one that might not, I'll go with the latter. And if I can help start a movement that will get all the hands out of my pockets, I'm there!
Bret 4207...
OK, fair enough. As for me, I voted for a Conservative once and got burned. His name was Ronald Reagan. He said he was for smaller Government. In eight years in office he did what was a new record. He doubled the size of Government and tripled the deficit. Do not blamd Congress-He never vetoed a budget. Not once.
OK, then he lets the Country get involved in drug smuggling and arms and money to finance questionable things. What happens? He sends weapons to Iran that are later used to kill Americans in Iraq..But not until he lets over 200 Americans get killed in Beirut on a mission without a purpose and then just leaves after they are murdered....Bin Lademn later said it was when he knew he could attack America..
And he is the Almighty standard bearor that every Conservative just throws his name out there and that is all they need to say. ( Hoffman- "I am a Reagan Conservative Republican") over and over and over.
Hoffman may very well win. But it is nothing more than a footnote to history. Lots of sound but no substance. This too shall pass as the Right turns on itself, for in the end, no one will be righteous enough to satisfy any of them.
You and I see a lot of Reagans faults. I lost friends in Beruit and he never responded. But I loved the man anyway. He was a leader. But he's dead and gone and you're right about much of what he did. True, he did it to beat the USSR and won the Cold War. But he wasn't perfect.
So now we're in overdrive, headed towards the edge of the cliff and no one in Washington ( or Albany) seem to even know we have a brake pedal, much less how to use it. Face it- we're broke! What do the run of the mill pols tell us will solve out lack of money problems? More spending.
If a 3rd party can win and change things for the better I'm all for it.
Bret4207 said...
You defend your position well. I can respect that. Not sure what being "broke " means sometimes. We have been a deficit Nation for all but two of the last 70 years. I guess it just depends on what you get for your "brokenness?"
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