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Debate may shift its date to suit the heavyweights
CNN scrambles to salvage the YouTube event.
By TIMES STAFF
Published July 29, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - A Sept. 17 Republican debate planned at the Mahaffey Theater might be rescheduled because of scheduling conflicts with some of the leading candidates. The Web site for GOP candidate Texas Rep. Ron Paul - who has agreed to participate in the debate -- said the CNN-YouTube event had been postponed and that a new date had not yet been selected. CNN declined to confirm that. But the network's Washington bureau chief, David Bohrman, said in a statement, "We're working with the campaigns to resolve any scheduling issues." Leading GOP candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney said Friday they would not attend the Sept. 17 debate because of scheduling conflicts. Gov. Charlie Crist has said he would contact the candidates if need be to urge them to attend so the event wouldn't be doomed. Sen. John McCain, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and Paul have agreed to attend. And former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has reportedly agreed to attend. The debate will feature questions asked by users of the video-sharing Web site YouTube. Giuliani has complained that CNN picked the date without consulting the candidates. The debate falls during a critical fundraising period. Romney, on the other hand, has criticized the debate format. A July 23 Democratic debate with the same format featured a question on global warming asked by a snowman. "I think the presidency should be held to a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman," Romney told the New Hampshire Union Leader on Wednesday.
[Last modified July 28, 2007, 23:03:09]
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by cfountain72
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07/30/07 10:20 AM
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I hope everyone in FL remembers that some of these candidates didn't have time for an open debate in the 4th most populous state in the nation.
Yeah, right.
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by Ryan
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07/29/07 09:19 PM
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This shows that the other candidates besides Ron Paul and John McCain think they are too good to answer questions from the people. I encourage people to look into Ron Paul. He is honest and sticks to his principles (unlike most politicians.)
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by Chris
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07/29/07 06:54 PM
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Rudy and Romney aren't serious candidates, just serious fundraisers... and even then Romney had to prop himself up. These two candidates provide nothing of substance anyway, good riddance to their doomed campaigns.
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by Stan
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07/29/07 01:35 PM
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Why not just have the debate without Rudy or Romney? They're pretty much worthless anyway. Since Ron Paul barely got to speak in the last debate, it would be nice to hear him speak for 1/4th of the debate.
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by Chris
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07/29/07 12:08 PM
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I hope something is done to get all the candidates to attend. It would be ashame that the Dems can do something better than the usually more organized Republicans. They all have lots of time to plan to attend this and hear our voices and be heard.
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