For the last week, NCPR and a broad coalition of other groups have been urging Doug Hoffman, from Lake Placid, to attend the one debate currently scheduled inside the 23rd district.<\/p>\n
It takes place tomorrow evening at SUNY Plattsburgh before a live audience.<\/p>\n
The event is also the only time in the campaign where average voters will have a chance to see the candidates live, in a venue not scripted by the candidates’ handlers.<\/p>\n
Democrat Bill Owens and Republican Dede Scozzafava have agreed to attend. Mr. Hoffman has refused.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, NCPR’s David Sommerstein questioned Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan, who offered this excuse for backing out of Monday’s News 10 Now forum:<\/p>\n
“Dede Scozzafava is a spoiler in this race,” Ryan said. “The real debate is between Bill Owens and Doug Hoffman.”<\/p>\n
Bill Owens will be at the Plattsburgh debate. If Mr. Hoffman wants to face him, he should agree to take the stage.<\/p>\n
When asked why he wouldn’t attend Wednesday’s event, Ryan claimed that there was a scheduling conflict.<\/p>\n
But when pressed by NCPR, Ryan acknowledged that he couldn’t cite any specific conflicts.<\/p>\n
“Everything is changing on the schedule, basically an hourly basis,” he said.<\/p>\n
Which means that Mr. Hoffman can make an executive decision today, changing his schedule to take part in the Plattsburgh forum.<\/p>\n
The Conservative candidate has promised courageous leadership if he’s elected to Congress. It’s time to demonstrate some of that courage now.<\/p>\n
We urge Mr. Hoffman to shake off his handlers and the national special interest groups that are shaping his campaign, just for 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
Please join us, Mr. Hoffman, for a direct conversation with the voters you hope to serve. The forum will be challenging, but also scrupulously fair and civil.<\/p>\n
–Brian Mann, NCPR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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