Albany Times Union - Hawkins: Put the Debates on TV and Include Me in All of "Em

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By Matthew Hamilton

Howie Hawkins has something to say about the debate about debates.

The Green Party candidate for governor held a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to call for approval of an independent commission -- part of campaign finance system -- to set up debates for governor and for inclusion in the debate proposed by the Wall Street Journal and WNYC and also for that debate to be televised.

"Once again we're having the perennially inane debate about debates," Hawkins said. "What we really need is an independent commission -- and I'd like to see it part of a public campaign finance system; there is a bill for clean money elections -- that could set up a series of debates. Under that proposed bill it would be three general election debates and everybody qualified for the public campaign finance system would be in those debates and the other candidates could join as well."

Hawkins called for at least an initial debate including all candidates qualified for the ballot, then subsequent debates that would include candidates who meet a certain objective criteria. He suggested candidates who poll five percent or better, have been campaigning statewide, have communication tools, such as Facebook or web pages, and possibly broadcast ads as the criteria.

As for the debates that appear to be poised to happen in October, Hawkins is set to be included in a Buffalo debate, which would be televised and hosted by The Buffalo News and WNED-WBFO. That debate also would include Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott.

The Wall Street Journal-WNYC debate would be between only Cuomo and Astorino, though. That debate has created a rise in Astorino's camp because they say the Cuomo campaign or the hosts didn't reach out to them to set it up, yet Cuomo announced he had accepted an invitation (Astorino adviser Bill O'Reilly later said he found the email from WNYC in his junk folder).

Four years ago, there was one (infamous) debate that included all seven candidates. Hawkins said two debates this time around is a step up, but not a big one.

"It's an improvement, but that's a pretty low bar. I think we can do much better," he said. "… When (former Minnesota governor) Jesse Ventura ran and was elected after being lower in the polls than I am now before debates, there were eight debates in the state. Venture was able to persuade the voters that he was the best candidate. That's needed to counteract that selling of elections. Cuomo's got all this money. He's spinning his image in the media with paid advertising that the rest of us can't come close to competing with. That is not an interactive debate. That is just advertising, and that's no way to run elections."

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