Richardson refuses televised debate; says Dendahl too negative : Election : Albuquerque Tribune:
SANTA FE — He's normally not shy around TV cameras, but Gov. Bill Richardson says he doesn't want a debate between him and his GOP opponent broadcast on TV. Richardson's insistence on no cameras proved to be a deal breaker Monday, causing the only scheduled gubernatorial debate this year to be nixed. The debate was scheduled Oct. 15 at Congregation Albert in Albuquerque. Richardson's campaign says it was concerned Republican candidate John Dendahl would spend his time blasting New Mexico and attacking the governor on TV. Dendahl's camp says the governor's reluctance to be televised doesn't make sense, given all the press time he already receives. "He's been touting his list of accomplishments around the country and around the globe," Dendahl spokeswoman Paige McKenzie said. On Friday, both sides seemed ready to debate, but subsequently disagreed on conditions for the event. A campaign manager for Richardson, a first-term Democratic governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Dendahl wouldn't focus on the issues, and televising his attacks would be a disservice to viewers "The governor debating at the U.N. or with a world leader for the release of a hostage is different from somebody who had made it clear that his intent is negative attacks that bring down the state," said Amanda Cooper.
That's sort of an ironic statement don't you think?
The Governor's, who's debated at the U.N. (I suppose) and negotiated important issues such as the release of hostages abroad, would be doing a disservice to the people of this state if he were to debate his opponent for office (in New Mexico) on television. The statement seems to imply that New Mexico is somehow greater served by Richardson being at the U.N. or negotiating with North Koreans than with his Gubernatorial opponent. Or maybe that's a misreading and the intent of the statement is to say that all Dendahl would do is criticize the Governor and thereby the state and that would be a disservice to all New Mexico. I'm not sure which position I find more arrogant.
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