Updating the the debate controversy, John Corzine has caved to public pressure and agreed to the original debate dates previously approved by NJ’s ELEC.

Chris Daggett’s letter to ELEC protesting Corzine’s attempt to move the gubernatorial debate to the end of October stirred up support from media and public interest groups who joined Daggett’s effort to protect voter rights. An emergency meeting of the ELEC led to a tied vote along party lines, but the situation was resolved when Jon Corzine agreed to the original dates set for early October.

The original post.

Corzine’s Foul Play

What will your family be watching October 22nd?

Chris Daggett has pointed out that Governor Corzine’s insistence on moving the first debate from Thursday, October 1, to Thursday, October 22, would shift New Jersey’s televised gubernatorial debate from competing against re-runs to competing against Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

“I’m a long time Yankees fan, and I’m sure every Yankee fan out there can tell you that we’re the odds-on favorite not only to go to the ALCS, but to the World Series,” Daggett said. “And that’s what Corzine is banking on – because he doesn’t want people watching the debate. He wants to minimize the audience, in the same way that negative mudslinging campaigns suppress the vote.”

Daggett reiterated his appeal to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission to reject New Jersey Network’s request to play ball with Corzine by moving the first televised debate as Corzine has requested. ELEC has scheduled an emergency meeting Monday, August 31, at 2 p.m. to consider NJN’s request.

“I’m sure the governor can fit the debate into his campaign schedule, no matter how busy it may be,” Daggett said. “If October 1 doesn’t work, we can move it a day earlier. I’m sure New Jersey Network can accommodate such a switch. But to insist on moving it to a particular date three weeks later is a blatant attempt to shift the debate into the heart of baseball playoff mania that will most likely include both the Yankees and the Phillies. It is an attempt to compress the public debate schedule into as short a time as possible. It’s a voter suppression tactic. The request should be thrown out by the ELEC umpires just like a manager is thrown out of the game when he has a tantrum over a bad call at home plate.”