Edwards attacks debate commission for snubbing New Orleans

[babylonsister]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/20/edwards-attacks-debate-committee-for-snubbing-new-orleans/

Edwards attacks debate commission for snubbing New Orleans

Edwards announced his 2008 presidential bid from the 9th Ward of New Orleans in late 2006.

NEW YORK (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards strongly criticized the Commission on Presidential Debates Tuesday for deciding not to hold one of the four sanctioned contests between the presidential and vice presidential nominees in New Orleans.

“As a nation, all of us have a responsibility to do everything we can to help rebuild this great city, and holding national events in this city, like a presidential debate, will help New Orleans move forward,” Edwards said in a statement. “I have made rebuilding this city a central part of my presidential campaign because I believe we cannot stand on the sidelines as President Bush continues to fail the people of New Orleans.”

Four universities in New Orleans applied to hold a joint debate, but they were not picked by the CDP. Four universities were chosen from 16 applicants to host the contests. The CDP could not be reached for comment on why it didn’t choose New Orleans, but the committee announced its selections on Monday.

The presidential debates will take place next September and October at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The vice presidential nominees will face off at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

[Ninga]

1. John Edwards....Predident of ALL the US of A. This is an example of Edwards "getting"

it.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I have to chuckle at the notion that New Orleans isn't capable of hosting a debate

between two candidates. The city will be hosting three bowl games in the next six weeks. It has hosted scores of Super Bowls. It has hosted NCAA basketball championships, it is hosting the NBA all star game. And it holds Mardi Gras every year. And it hosted the largest fucking national disaster in the nation's history.

Can't host two people debating??? That's funny!

[waiting for hope]

4. Jazz Fest has more going

on then a Presidential debate...it would maybe be on par with the Cable convention, imho.

[waiting for hope]

3. Good - I hope this will spark

more interest in what is NOT happening in New Orleans. As a former resident (almost 14 years) of New Oleans, I applaud Edwards for still shining a light on the gross injustice to what's been going on in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

K&R!

[BOSSHOG]

5. Progress, but extremely slow progress

An estimated 5,000 a month coming back to the city. New Orleans East is the least populated right now but a real estate agent told me it was the most active section of town relative to interest. And there are some retail outlets going up out that way. Its great to see one of the most contentious issues in Gulfport right now is either the lack of stop lights or the lack of synchronized stop lights.

[Yukari Yakumo]

6. ...and just why, Edwards, should a NO site be picked over the others? {nt}

Edwards: Pander, Pander, Pander, Pander...

[BOSSHOG]

7. You bring up an excellent point and I agree

that NOLA should not be given preference over any other city for anything. But the reason given for not picking NOLA is that it is not capable of hosting said debate and that is patently absurd.

I do agree John is pandering and his argument and mine are not the same. Mine is valid.

[Reno.Muse]

8. Gee, beat him for pandering to the poor who give him no campaign money

Shame. shame. shame.

[Jim Sagle]

9. Welcome aboard, Reno. You're a much better DUer than some who've been here much longer.