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Richardson refuses televised debate; says Dendahl too negative
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SANTA FE — He's normally not shy around TV cameras, but Gov. Bill Richardson says he doesn't want a debate between him and his GOP opponent broadcast on TV.
Richardson's insistence on no cameras proved to be a deal breaker Monday, causing the only scheduled gubernatorial debate this year to be nixed.
The debate was scheduled Oct. 15 at Congregation Albert in Albuquerque.
Richardson's campaign says it was concerned Republican candidate John Dendahl would spend his time blasting New Mexico and attacking the governor on TV.
Dendahl's camp says the governor's reluctance to be televised doesn't make sense, given all the press time he already receives.
"He's been touting his list of accomplishments around the country and around the globe," Dendahl spokeswoman Paige McKenzie said.
On Friday, both sides seemed ready to debate, but subsequently disagreed on conditions for the event.
A campaign manager for Richardson, a first-term Democratic governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Dendahl wouldn't focus on the issues, and televising his attacks would be a disservice to viewers.
"The governor debating at the U.N. or with a world leader for the release of a hostage is different from somebody who had made it clear that his intent is negative attacks that bring down the state," said Amanda Cooper.
The governor also wanted to bring materials with him to the podium, something Cooper said is reasonable but which Dendahl at first opposed.
Dendahl later dropped his opposition to that and other issues he had about the debate's conditions - except his desire to have it televised, McKenzie said.
Richardson, who has been in front of cameras most of his adult life, debated his 2002 gubernatorial opponent, John Sanchez, several times.
This year, Dendahl has accepted invitations from KOAT-Channel 7 and KOB-Channel 4, his campaign says. Richardson has not.
Polls put Richardson well ahead of his challenger. The governor also has a distinct financial advantage, with nearly $5 million in his campaign war chest as of July 1. In the same filing period, Dendahl reported having $22,000 in the bank.
The two gubernatorial candidates aren't alone in their debate dispute. Critics have charged Democrat Attorney General Patricia Madrid balked at having a live, broadcast debate with incumbent U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson in the race for the 1st Congressional District. Madrid also refused to participate in a televised debate sponsored by The Tribune and KRQE News 13.
The two debated Sept. 17 at Congregation Albert. Though it was not televised, Albuquerque-area blogger Mario Burgos videotaped the debate and posted it on his blog.
