Lujan declines to take part in TV debate

[TexasTowelie]

When candidates for a high-profile Senate race face off in a debate next month, there might be an empty podium onstage.

KOB-TV and the Santa Fe New Mexican will host debates in early October featuring candidates from this year’s races for the 3rd Congressional District and U.S. Senate seats, the TV station and newspaper have confirmed.

But U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, a Northern New Mexico Democrat running for the Senate, has declined his invitation to participate in an Oct. 5 debate. KOB-TV, Republican Mark Ronchetti and Libertarian Bob Walsh said they will move forward and hold the debate without the congressman.

“The reality is KOB has been doing debates for more than half a century,” said Michelle Donaldson, KOB-TV’s vice president and general manager. “I don’t feel comfortable lessening our commitment because one of the candidates hasn’t committed.”

Read more: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/elections/luj-n-declines-to-take-part-in-tv-debate/article_497d43ea-ec78-11ea-b095-fb7e854563ae.html

[abqtommy]

1. I live here in New Mexico. While this is an interesting development I really can't see anything

to be gained in a debate between left and right when the evidence is overwhelmingly against any
continued reTHUG participation in government here in the U.S. at any level.

edit: KOB is a media outlet committed to tRUMP and all things reTHUGlican.

[marble falls]

2. But he's still competitive without it?

[left-of-center2012]

3. Republican Mark Ronchetti

Republican Mark Ronchetti, former local weatherman for KOB-TV in Albuquerque.

He's pro 'build the wall' and 'anti a woman's right to choose'.
Big supporter of guns and God.

Says he wants to do to New Mexico what Trump has done to America.

[left-of-center2012]

4. Lujan ... has agreed to take part in two other debates

Luján countered that he has agreed to take part in two other debates — one sponsored by KOAT-TV and another on PBS-affiliate KNME-TV — and those opportunities will be enough for voters to hear the candidates’ positions on the issues. He also said he has been giving interviews to media outlets and holding virtual town halls and other events.

“I’ve been talking to people every day,” Luján said. “I’m going to do my due diligence to stay connected with voters and make myself available as I always have.”

Luján has held numerous “virtual road trips” using videoconferencing with Democratic local officials, party members and supporters in counties from around the state. He’s also held roundtable talks with health care workers, educators and veterans.

Luján has drawn a distinction between his long experience in Washington and his Republican opponent’s “celebrity” image as a meteorologist in New Mexico.

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/elections/luj-n-declines-to-take-part-in-tv-debate/article_497d43ea-ec78-11ea-b095-fb7e854563ae.html