Corzine Is First In Two Decades To Refuse NJ 101.5 Debate
Thursday, September 17, 2009

Jon Corzine

Click here for Corzine’s comments to David Matthau

For the first time in almost 20 years, a candidate running for
statewide office in Jersey has refused to participate in debate on New Jersey 101.5.

Governor Jon Corzine has turned thumbs down on the event – which gives listeners the chance to speak to the candidates about the issues they are most concerned about.

During an event in Union, the Governor was asked why he decided to skip the Millennium Radio debate – and its millions of listeners – in favor of an appearance on a smaller, public radio jazz station in North Jersey.

Corzine replied “cause we’re doing a debate through the public broadcasting group of radio stations, which will get at the same number of people.”

When the Governor was asked if he didn’t like New Jersey 101.5, he said “I love the station! We also like public broadcasting.”

Corzine was then told many voters would be disappointed if he ducked the Millennium Radio debate, and he shot back “a lot of people will be encouraged because we’re using public broadcasting.”

Some political observers suggest the Governor might be concerned he wouldn’t do well in the Millennium Radio debate format – because the candidates are allowed to question each other, and follow up on statements made by their opponents – so he’s decided to skip it.

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie continues to lead in all the recent polls.

 

Letter from Corzine Campaign Declining Debate Invitation Click image for larger view

Statement from New Jersey 101.5’s Eric Scott The following statement was released by Eric Scott, News Director for New Jersey 101.5, on Governor Corzine’s refusal to participate in a debate to be aired on the station:  “Just this morning, I received a letter dated September 9, 2009, from Corzine Campaign Manager Maggie Moran declining our invitation to host a Gubernatorial debate. Jon Corzine has now become the first candidate for statewide office in almost 20-years to turn his back on our one-million listeners by refusing to  appear on New Jersey 101.5 to talk directly to New Jersey voters about the issues that are important to them.   New Jersey 101.5 is the most listened to radio station in the state.  Our political forums have won praise from both state and national media.  The Star-Ledger recently wrote of the “Ritual the (NJ 101.5) debate has become in New Jersey politics.”  As a candidate for the U-S Senate and again as a candidate for Governor, Jon Corzine participated in multiple programs and debates on our station.  In this election, however, Jon Corzine appears to have made the strategic decision to pretend that we simply do not exist.  It should be noted that this is the first communication from the Corzine Campaign on this matter since our invitation was extended in July.”