MAYORAL CAMPAIGNS ACCEPT ACKLIN DEBATE CHALLENGE, REFUSE TOWN HALL FORUM
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Thursday, October 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
CONTACT:
Andy Gastmeyer, Press Secretary
412.327.6951 | 412.481.3150
MAYORAL CAMPAIGNS ACCEPT ACKLIN DEBATE CHALLENGE, REFUSE TOWN HALL FORUM
PITTSBURGH - After three months of challenges and delays, the competing candidates for Mayor of Pittsburgh have accepted Kevin Acklin's call to debate, agreeing to participate in three televised events. Neither Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, nor Franco "Dok" Harris, agreed to take part in a town hall forum debate, which the Acklin Campaign proposed and at least one local station was interested in hosting.
"I'm thrilled that voters will be able to see all three of us on the same stage," Acklin said, "But I'm also disappointed that the other candidates refused to answer questions directly from voters. As candidates for public office, we have a responsibility to interact with voters and directly address their concerns."
"I'm out in the neighborhoods talking to voters every day, and they always get straight answers from me. That will be my commitment when I'm elected Mayor."
The debates will be broadcast on KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE. The KDKA Debate will be taped on Friday, October 16th, and most likely air the next day. WTAE will record its debate on Wednesday, October 21st, and most likely air it that night at 7pm -- making it the only prime-time debate this election cycle. WPXI will tape on the 29th to air on WPXI Saturday, November 1st, and on PCNC November 1st and 2nd.
All three debates will be podium-style and will not be filmed in front of a studio audience, despite calls from the Acklin campaign for a more interactive, voter-friendly format.
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