Gephardt a No-Show at "Rock the Vote" CNN Debate?

[tsipple]

Joshua Micah Marshall reports that Richard Gephardt may be alone as a no-show to tomorrow's (November 4th) "Rock the Vote" debate in Boston, broadcast on CNN. The Rock the Vote debate is targeted specifically at young, new voters, to encourage them to participate in greater numbers this coming election. MTV formerly aired all Rock the Vote events, but this one is on CNN this year.

Anybody know what the latest is on this and why Gephardt may be a no-show? Thanks.

[annxburns]

1. I heard ...

... that he has events in Iowa that were previously planned. I think I read that on MSNBC ... I'll check ...

[annxburns]

2. Yep here it is ...

....

http://www.msnbc.com/news/924508.asp?0cb=-215164841

Embed Priya David reports that per his campaign, Gephardt passing on Rock the Vote for previously planned events in Iowa, but David notes the Rock the Vote crowd isn’t necessarily Gephardt’s best demographic. (Though we’d add that some might argue he could stand to do some work among younger voters...) A Gephardt spokesperson pointed out on Gephardt’s weekend trip to North Dakota that he is the only declared candidate to have visited the state, which holds its nominating contest on February 3; Dean also visited, but before he formally announced.

[tsipple]

3. OK, Some Gentle Ribbing Here...

1. "Darn, I'm going to miss Dick Gephardt at the Rock the Vote debate. Now John Kerry will have to attack Howard Dean all by himself."

2. "Associated Press reports: While eight of the nine Democratic candidates reached out to younger voters at the nationally televised Rock the Vote debate in Boston, Dick Gephardt visited a six bed nursing home in Newton, Iowa today. 'I haven't made up my mind,' said Eunice Cobb, 96. 'I was watching the Democratic Debate on my Philco, and Dick Gephardt walked in to bother me.'"

3. "It's OK if Dick Gephardt misses Rock the Vote. There's always Sock Hop the Vote next week."

:evilgrin:

[LizW]

4. giggle (n/t)