Why??? First 2008 debates (New Hampshire) could lack top-named candidates

Flabbergasted

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Mon Mar-12-07 05:47 PM
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Why??? First 2008 debates (New Hampshire) could lack top-named candidates

Edited on Mon Mar-12-07 06:09 PM by Flabbergasted

(Could it be "some candidates...would rather run and hide than defend their records and their positions on the war." Kucinich)

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/NEWS0201/70309011/-1/CITIZEN

PHILIP ELLIOTT
Associated Press Writer

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ The first debate in the first-in-the-nation primary state is likely to be without the candidates polling in first place _ or maybe even second or third places.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he can't make next month's debates because of an undisclosed scheduling conflict; aides to the Republican won't give specifics or locations. Sen. John McCain will be in Iraq on a ''long-planned'' visit. And former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's spokeswoman says he hasn't yet made a decision.

Among the Democrats, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton's aides say she is considering it; aides to Sen. Barack Obama say he hasn't decided yet.

''If you have a debate and Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama don't show up, is it really a debate?'' said Fergus Cullen, the state GOP chairman.

So far, few of the high-buzz candidates have committed to the WMUR-TV-New Hampshire Union Leader-CNN debates set to air nationally. Some top candidates are staying away from the April 4 and 5 debates, recognizing a potential gaffe could plague them for the 10 months before New Hampshire voters cast their ballots. Others say simply appearing beside thus-far-non-factor candidates only elevates them.

''If you goof, it's going to be a lot more of a goof than normal. Any gaffe will be augmented by the fact it's just one or two of 'the names' with several of the lower-tier candidates,'' said Mark Wrighton, a University of New Hampshire political science professor.

Wrighton said these are strategic decisions facing each campaign. ''That's going to help lower-tier candidates. Those folks should jump in and be there. Several of them will make hay and that will help them.''

Giuliani and McCain, however, have committed to appearing at a May debate at the Reagan Library in California.

Some campaign and party officials say they expect the New Hampshire debates will be postponed or rescheduled, given the low level and low wattage of participants. Those involved in the discussions said a decision is expected by the end of this week.

WMUR's news director Andrew Vrees said Thursday the debates are still planned and any talk of cancellation is premature. New Hampshire Union Leader Executive Editor Charlie Perkins said discussions are ongoing and no decision to cancel, postpone or nix has been made. A message was left with a CNN spokeswoman.

''You never have to do all the debates. If you think everyone is going to be ganging up on you, it might make sense to skip,'' said Sam Popkin, who helped President Carter prepare for his debates against Ronald Reagan. ''If you're not ready, you're not ready.''

Campaign aides have been offering variations on the ''under consideration,'' ''we're mulling it,'' and ''we look forward to debating in New Hampshire.'' Others say wrangling over format and participants has been the subject of numerous phone calls between the station, the newspaper and the campaigns.

''They have not contacted us formally in regards to any changes,'' said Katie Roberts, a spokeswoman for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and a confirmed participant.

Still, no one wants to the first to blink, and no one wants to be the only top name sharing the stage with marginal candidates.

''If it's not too early in the campaign season for candidates to host million dollar fundraisers,'' Sen. Chris Dodd said last week, ''it's not too early to debate the issues.''

Dodd, like many of the candidates with lower poll positions, have the most to gain, experts said.

''If you're a Mike Huckabee, a Dennis Kucinich _ if you're any of those folks, it becomes very attractive,'' Wrighton said. ''It's very attractive if the big boys don't come. A win goes down to just showing up.''

Those candidates are coming, along with former Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Sam Brownback and Sen. Joe Biden.