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Saturday, September 04, 2010
Heinrich Rejects Debate With Barela on KOAT
By Sean Olson
Journal Staff Writer
Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., has declined to participate in an Oct. 17 televised debate sponsored by KOAT-TV and the Journal, making him the only congressional candidate who will not appear in the October telecasts.
His challenger in the Nov. 2 election, Republican Jon Barela, has agreed to participate. Heinrich campaign spokeswoman Marsha Garcia said that "it's not possible for us to accept every invitation" for a debate and that Heinrich will be participating in several debates.
"In the past week, Martin participated in a debate and a neighborhood public forum with his opponent," Garcia said. "Martin will participate in several additional debates in the coming weeks, including a televised debate sponsored by New Mexico First and New Mexico public broadcasters KNME and another one sponsored by the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce."
KOAT General Manager Mary Lynn Roper said Friday that Heinrich declined after the station refused to limit the scope of the debate to a few topics that would be revealed to campaigns before the debate.
The televised debate that Heinrich has agreed to has no limits on subject matter, and questions will be selected the day of the event by people who attend a town hall preceding the debate, New Mexico First President Heather Balas said.
Roper said she doesn't remember any time in her 33 years at the station that a congressional candidate has refused to participate.
Barela has asked KOAT to continue with the debate as scheduled and allow him to appear with or without Heinrich. The station is considering that possibility.
"Mr. Heinrich has failed to have meaningful and open town hall discussions about critical issues," Barela wrote in a letter to KOAT on Thursday. "Despite campaign rhetoric contained in his television commercials, he avoids addressing his constituents in a direct, candid and open manner."
Meanwhile, KOAT/Journal debates with the Congressional District 2 and 3 candidates are scheduled for Oct. 24.
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