O'Malley and Ehrlich agree to debate on WJZ
Yes, you read that correctly.
Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley and Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. -- notorious for being unable to work out debate logistics -- have agreed to one, both campaigns confirmed this evening.
The hourlong debate is booked for 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, in-studio at Baltimore's WJZ. It is sponsored by the Baltimore Jewish Council and will be moderated by anchor Denise Koch. The debate is to air at 7 that evening.
"We are very pleased that both candidates ... have agreed to a debate," said WJZ vice president and general manager Jay Newman. He said he and Art Abramson, director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, negotiated with the campaigns for weeks.
O'Malley's spokesman Rick Abbruzzese and Ehrlich's spokesman Andy Barth both said the candidates are "looking forward to it."
Each candidate will give opening and closing remarks, Newman said, and will discuss five to seven issues. Newman said the station will solicit questions from viewers.
Barth said his understanding is that the debate is to be "pretty free form."
O'Malley and Ehrlich went head to head on WJZ four years ago, too. More details to come.
Comments
There should be one liberal moderator and one conservative moderator. I suggest Ron Smith.
Posted by: RobertJ | September 30, 2010 6:05 PM
Finally O'Malley will have to answer for his horrific record.
Posted by: Former Democrat | September 30, 2010 6:13 PM
"The debate is to at 7 that evening." I guess that's a misprint. Does it mean it's aired at 10 a.m and 7 p.m.? Or, does it mean it's recorder at 10 a.m. and aired at 7p.m.? Or, does it mean something else.
Posted by: Fred | September 30, 2010 6:23 PM
The debate will air at 7 p.m. but will be recorded at 10 in the morning. O'Malley will crush Ehrlich is this debate.
Posted by: Chelsea | September 30, 2010 6:55 PM
or , does it mean you misread the info. there was no misprint. to be taped at 10 a.m. broadcast at 7 p.m. pay attention!
Posted by: bill hildebrand | September 30, 2010 6:58 PM
or does it mean you misread? studio is booked to tape the debate at 10 a.m. it will air at 7 p.m. pay attention! favorite bumpersticker..... IT'S TOO BAD IGNORANCE ISN'T PAINFUL
Posted by: bill hildebrand | September 30, 2010 7:03 PM
And when will the other 3 candidates for governor running in this election be receiving their invitations from WJZ?
The media blackout of myself, the Green Party candidate, and the Libertarian and Constitution party candidates for governor as well as its creation of a so-called "rematch" between two of the candidates undermines our democratic process and keeps voters in the dark. The media, by its refusal to allow the voters to hear and see ALL the candidates influences elections to the detriment of all of us. This is wrong and voters should demand that they have the opportunity to hear ALL the candidates.
Posted by: Maria Allwine, Green Party Candidate for Governor | September 30, 2010 8:24 PM
I hope they ask why omalley allows tax payers to foot the bill to a tune of $2billion a year to illegal aliens and casa de md every year and allows them to work while on welfare. Oh maybe he just needs the votes of illegals to boost the numbers..
Posted by: jackie | September 30, 2010 8:43 PM
Pretty straight forward from the story.
The hourlong debate is booked for 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11 ... The debate is to air at 7 that eveningl
Posted by: David | September 30, 2010 9:35 PM
Why is a lightweight like Koch moderating this debate?
Does she even know that there is an election this year?
Posted by: louie'n'canton | October 1, 2010 12:12 AM
Baltimore City... P.G county.. Montgomery County...GAME OVER!! O'Malley WINS!!!! O'Malley WINS!!! and that's the bottom line... let the repugs start their whining!!
Posted by: Jack | October 1, 2010 3:39 AM
And after MOM wins in November let the taxing and spending contunue!
Posted by: john | October 1, 2010 10:02 AM
Déjà vu all over again. I'll never forget how Denise Koch fell in love with Martin O'Malley. Let us all pray she has grown up this time around and at least tries to pretend she is fair and balanced.
Posted by: Carole | October 1, 2010 10:15 AM
Why not a forum at CCBC or UMBC with just a single moderator. Denise Koch?, oh the B-Jewish Council is co-sponsoring. The problem is both candidates do not want a "good" political moderator who will ask good questions and FOLLOW UP too. Vatz, Dedie, Smith would do that.
Posted by: john | October 1, 2010 11:46 AM
Any particular reason why it is being taped? Any "news" value of the event will be well depleted by then.
Posted by: mitchellfan | October 1, 2010 3:42 PM
It doesn't matter. The uninformed, brainwashed sheep will vote for O'Malley again and we will continue to see the deterioration of the middle class in Maryland. Only rich and poor in this state.
Posted by: Jack | October 1, 2010 7:24 PM
Is WJZ in violation of any campaign finance laws or FCC regulations by providing what could be considered an hour-long campaign ad on prime time promoting the two included candidates over the three that are being excluded: Maria Allwine (Green), Susan Gaztanaga (Libertarian) and Eric Knowles (Constitution)?
Posted by: Mike | October 7, 2010 9:00 PM