Short takes - Newsday.com
    Not debateable

    It’s too bad NY1 refuses to change its rules for allowing candidates to appear on televised debates. The qualifications - which include raising more money than many insurgents can manage - mean that Sen. Hillary Clinton can duck a debate with anti-war activist Jon Tasini. He amassed thousands of signatures to get on the ballot, no easy task. Clinton and NY1 should lighten up and let the voters get a look at both candidates - together.

    Statement from the candidate

    Many of you are calling for information on how to contact NY1 to protest their censorship of political debate. NY1 has declared Jonathan Tasini ineligible to participate in their debate series at Pace University because he does not meet their “threshold” of $500,000 in campaign funds either raised or spent. He does meet their other criteria, polling at 5% or better. (We were at 13% in the most recent Marist poll.)

    Tonight NY1 is sponsoring a debate between the Republican Senate primary candidates; no Democratic Senate primary debate is scheduled. August 22nd is their U.S. Senate Candidates Town Hall Meeting; Jonathan is not invited.

    Please call NY1 today and demand that the media power-brokers stop censoring political debate. Any candidate who has qualified for the ballot should be allowed into the debates.

    Call or e-mail: Robert Hardt – Director of Politics, NY1, 212-379-3330 or Robert.Hardt@ny1news.com

    And, then, pass the information on. Every voter, even those who don’t support our campaign, should care about the ability of media power-brokers to censor debate in our country.

As much as I disagree with Jonathan Tasini politics, everyone has the Right to be on the ballot and every serious candidate should be invited to debates. Just look at how they supported the candidate that challenged Joe Lieberman.

Democrats accuse Republicans of censorship, being against the little guy and all for the rich. Say what you will but let’s look at some facts. At the Republican convention all candidates were invited and were allowed to speak to the delegates, then a vote was taken to see who would get the OK from the delegates.

The Democrats had their convention to annoint their Party picks here in Buffalo, probably the best Democrat to run for governor in years was locked out. Tom Suozzi was not allowed to even speak to the delegates. Now Spitzer refuses to debate him and Hillary is doing the same thing.

The Erie County Legislature refused to allow the voters of this county to vote on a County manager type government, so we are locked out of the process and silenced.

Hillary should at least have the courtesy to allow this guy Tasani in the debate, if not she is a coward just like Spitzer. They don’t want to be held accountable or challenged.