For all my conservative friends out there who railed against the idea that Democrats we’re tough enough to endure a debate in Nevada hosted by Fox News, this open invitation from Mark Green, the new president of AirAmerica Radio, offering to host Republican debates on his network.
Let’s see if the Republicans go for it.
Dear Republican Chairman Ray Hoffmann of Iowa, Republican Chairman Paul Willis of Nevada, Republican Chairman Katon Dawson of South Carolina and Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen of New Hampshire,As the new president of Air America, I’d like to offer to host or co-host one of your upcoming presidential debates.
Why us? First, this would allow your debate to reach many voters. Combining our 2 million radio audience, along with our satellite, internet and web audiences, means that some 2.5 million Americans would hear or read about the debate..
Second, it would allow Republicans to differentiate themselves from Democrats – embracing a debate hosted by a progressive media outlet after Nevada Democrats canceled a debate scheduled to be hosted by the conservative Fox Cable News Channel. The MoveOn organization spurred 265,000 people to complain about the original plan, calling Fox a “mouthpiece for the Republican Party.” In reply, Fox’s Mort Kondracke called the Nevada Democratic Party’s rejection of Fox a “Stalinist” violation of “free speech and free debate.” So should you accept Air America’s offer, Republicans would both embrace free debate and stick it to Stalin at the same time.
Third, our offer permits you to include any other national media company as a co-host — like Fox. For example, a panel with Fox representing the conservative viewpoint and Air America the progressive viewpoint would make for a very “fair and balanced” debate — not to mention that Fox’s viewers per evening are coincidentally comparable to our 2.5 million listeners, meaning that several million unique people would hear your debate (assuming next to no overlap between our two disparate audiences).
We would be honored not only to co-host such an event; but also to broadcast it live without commercial interruption on the day that you choose.
I look forward to your response and to working with you on this important event.
Yours,Mark Green
President, Air America Radio
I honestly hope they do.
If the GOP sits this out, then they suffer from the same venal sins as the Democratic candidates: that as potential leaders of America, they aren’t adult enough to face their most committed political opponents.
If they do… then they show a willingness to communicate across the aisle. In a democracy, this is a laudable goal.
Or did you forget about that Air America press release you posted just last week?
First you approvingly post up the Air America inviitation. Then you congratulate the Democrats for skipping out on a Fox News debate because the network disgusts you. Now you smirk in full confidence that the Republicans can’t man up and come to Air America, since apparently they can’t stand the sheer righteousness of it.
Only someone so blinded by partisanship would be so willfully obtuse.
DU
Actually, I don’t tghink the Republicans will precisely for the same reasons the Democrats bowed out of the Nevada primary.
And I don’t apologize for my comments on commending Dems from pulling out of the Nevada debate. If Fox wants to air a debate hosted by a credible third party (League of Women Voters for example), that’s cool.
Might I suggest you see the Documentary “Outfoxed” as it will shed some light on Fox’s bias and inability to play fair when it comes to Democrats.
Good for Air America. I love the challenge and the format . Hopefully the GOP will not chickenhawk out like the Dems chickendoved out. Maybe Fox & Air America can do the same deal with Air America for the Dems. Truly a fair and balanced solution.