Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** Rate the new DGA ad
Posted in:
* I agree with Robert Feder, this conflict should have been avoided. The TV stations which participated in this sham should’ve agreed to work things out. They’re being used by the politicians…
In a conflict that should have been avoided, two Chicago TV stations have scheduled live in-studio debates among Republican candidates for Illinois governor on the same night — and neither station is backing down. So on May 24, Richard Irvin, Paul Schimpf and Max Solomon will appear on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, and Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Jesse Sullivan will appear on Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9. The NBC 5 forum, moderated by Mary Ann Ahern, will start at 6 p.m. and also air on Telemundo WSNS-Channel 44 and TV stations in Peoria, Rockford, Decatur, Quincy, St. Louis and Paducah/Cape Girardeau/Harrisburg. Co-sponsors are the Chicago Urban League, the Latino Policy Forum and the Union League Club of Chicago. The WGN debate, anchored by Micah Materre and Tahman Bradley, will start at 7 p.m. and also air on Nexstar Media news/talk WGN 720-AM and TV stations in Champaign, Peoria/Bloomington, Rockford, Springfield/Decatur, Rock Island/Moline, Carterville, St. Louis and Terra Haute. There’s still a chance for the candidates to appear together when ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 hosts another live debate June 2, co-sponsored by Univision WGBO-Channel 66 and the League of Women Voters of Illinois. The primary election is June 28.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:44 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Open thread
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** Rate the new DGA ad
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Looks like Irvin is scared to debate the candidates that are polling over 2%.
Comment by Henry Francis Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:47 am
Whichever station issued the invites second should do the honorable thing and reschedule.
Comment by Big Dipper Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:47 am
A dumb decision rendering both “debates” meaningless. And the stations are as complicit as the campaigns.
Comment by Pundent Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:52 am
It’s a shame neither station has equipment that would allow the other to broadcast remotely.
Comment by Jocko Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:52 am
Does it matter in these days when people can set their DVRs and livestreams are usually available after the live event is over? Interested people can actually watch both (I am unsure who this segment of the political audience would be, perhaps Pol junkies?) Assumedly the questions would not be htat different from one another so one could stil gauge the candidates.
Comment by cermak_rd Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:56 am
Spot on Rich. There’s no good reason why both stations couldn’t work something out so that voters have a chance to see all of the candidates on one stage debating the issues.
Comment by Shytown Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:56 am
Richard Irvin, demonstrating the same boldness that will invigorate Illinois and wash all scum off Ken Griffin’s streets, is unafraid to face all challengers head on, specifically, the 5th and 6th place candidates in a 6 person race, but nobody else.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Friday, May 13, 22 @ 9:58 am
==Does it matter in these days when people can set their DVRs and livestreams are usually available after the live event is over?==
I’ll do you one better, does it matter since no one will watch, anyway?
The problem is, this screw up will get more attention than the debates ever could.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:05 am
I would also like to see a debate between the Democratic candidates for Governor.
As to the post, I agree that our major media outlets regarding this primary election are not serving our community in terms of meeting their obligation to provide information on the primary candidates - - other than selling advertising space on their outlets.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:06 am
=Does it matter in these days when people can set their DVRs and livestreams are usually available after the live event is over?=
Yes it does. Particularly when the debates amount to nothing more than “my opponent was afraid to be on the same stage as me.”
Comment by Pundent Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:06 am
When I see networks highlight games coming up a competing network and broadcasters working across different channels and call letters this is stupid.
One word - simulcast.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:09 am
The stations should be barred from calling these infomercials “debates.” At best, they are candidate forums and even that is stretching it.
Used to be that tv news stations felt an obligation to lift our civic conversation above the gutter of politics as usual. But clearly that is no longer the case.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:14 am
Risky business punching down. If under-5-percenters score on Irvin that could leave a mark.
Comment by walker Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:15 am
So dumb. So so dumb.
Comment by New Day Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:19 am
disastrously debating the debate debacle.
Comment by Pizza Man Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:27 am
Looks like an inside job with Irvin/Griffin crew making sure there’s was scheduled the same night as the other. Only Irvin has been hiding from Bailey and Sullivan.
Comment by Real Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:32 am
The sorry state of journalism, unfortunately.
Comment by Homebody Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:32 am
Sullivan and Bailey should secretly work with NBC without public announcement and surprise Irvin at the NBC debate since Griffin had to pull some behind the scenes work.
Comment by Real Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:39 am
Personally disappointed that the Union League Club of Chicago is part of this mess.
They should drop out.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, May 13, 22 @ 10:40 am
=Personally disappointed that the Union League Club of Chicago is part of this mess.=
Griff is probably paying them too
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, May 13, 22 @ 11:17 am
Why isn’t Bailey jumping debates to go up against Irvin instead?
Comment by Anthony Friday, May 13, 22 @ 11:36 am
@Anthony
That’s a great question isn’t it? You would think he would want to be where the front runner is. Maybe he thinks the mountain should come to Mohammed.
I can understand not wanting to break a commitment to a media outlet for a debate. I certainly wouldn’t want to slight anyone who buys ink by the 50 gallon drum. But at some point, I agree with Rich, one outlet needs to be gracious or even better, they should merge their formats. Two moderators, no logos, joint broadcast. This coverage isn’t just to sell advertising and spike their Neilsen ratings.
Comment by Just Another Anon Friday, May 13, 22 @ 1:49 pm
=Why isn’t Bailey jumping debates to go up against Irvin instead?=
Well you may not have noticed, but the GOP isn’t much of a fan of debates these days. Whether it’s the national organization taking on the Commission on Presidential Debates or Catalina Lauf and the League of Women Voters it seems that the candidates don’t like to answer questions. And this format now lends itself to a scenario where the lack of debate participants will overshadow the debate itself.
Comment by Pundent Friday, May 13, 22 @ 3:27 pm
There shoulda been a schedule that each camp could agree to have these (and any) debates happen, and with full attendance.
This *is* embarrassing
This race is to be the nominee for governor of the 6th largest state in America. Illinois deserves better
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 13, 22 @ 4:25 pm