OPINION & EDITORIAL
Vogeler attests to unfair WPT
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by Letters to the Editor
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Submitted for publication by Rae Vogeler, Wisconsin Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate:
"Here and Now" continues to assert it has offered equal air-time to all U.S. Senate Candidates, and has stated publicly that I backed out of an agreement to appear on their program Friday, October 13. Both assertions are distortions, and stand as a testament to Wisconsin Public Television's continued biased and discriminatory approach to the U.S. Senate race. I postponed my appearance to October 27 specifically because the October 13 show was designed as a "separate but equal" program that did not include my primary opponent, Herb Kohl. This biased treatment is unacceptable by any media, but I expect more from a taxpayer supported station charged with the high mandate of serving the public interest.
On Friday, October 6, Wisconsin Public Television aired what they called a "special joint appearance" between Republican challenger Robert Lorge and incumbent Senator Herb Kohl. Lorge is not endorsed by the Wisconsin Republican Party and is not listed on their website. Despite objections from my campaign, "Here and Now" chose to exclude the only woman in the race from appearing on a program with Kohl. WPT continues to assert that by presenting the candidates in two separate debates, only one of which included the incumbent, they were offering 'equal air-time'. WPT refused to consider any other arrangement that would include me at the table. Suggestions included taping a one our program with all four candidates that would air in two segments, or taping each candidate individually.
Furthermore, "Here and Now" misled their viewers by stating I ommitted to and later cancelled an appearance. After refusing to consider the alternatives suggested, the producer offered to interview me at a later date. I never agreed to a one-on-one debate with independent candidate Ben Glatzel, but "Here and Now" scheduled such a debate. I have requested to appear individually on the show to respond to Senator Kohl's comments directly in an interview format. That interview will air on October 27 at 7pm.
Since Senator Kohl has steadfastly refused to appear in any public forum with me, the only credible challenger in this race with positions substantially different from his own, he has yet to be challenged before the voters on many key issues: his support of the Iraq war, the bankruptcy bill, the Bush energy plan and tax cuts for America's wealthiest 1%. He has boycotted every forum and debate invitation, including the Libertarian debate for the U.S. Senate race, a local Madison forum this Thursday, a Middle East policy forum next week in Milwaukee and a U.S. Senate debate sponsored by the Milwaukee Area Technical College to be held the week before the election. Calls to Kohl's office from my campaign to discuss debates have not been returned.
I urge my supporters, and advocates for a free and democratic society, to call Wisconsin Public Television to insist on fair coverage. I also urge you to call Senator Kohl at 800.719.5645 and ask him to debate. Visit www.VoteRae.org to find out more about the campaign and to help challenge Senator Kohl on the important issues in this election.
Anonymous (October 19, 2006 @ 11:39am):
And when it's time to do the dishes... where's Ray Vogeler? I'll tell ya! RAY VOGELER... IS LOOKIN' OUT FOR RAY VOLEGER!
Anonymous (October 19, 2006 @ 9:23pm):
It is disappointing that Vogeler refuses to debate Glatzel. Glatzel is as legitimate a candidate as Kohl, Lorge, or Vogeler.
Vogeler is being entirerly hypocritical in refusing to debate with Glatzel. She complains that Kohl is unwilling to debate, but so is she.
I still believe she is the best candidate of the four running, but this is irritating.
Anonymous (October 20, 2006 @ 2:44pm):
By refusing to recognize the legitimacy of third parties by segregating them from the big two, democracy is being undermined. The point of third parties is to challenge the mainstream candidates on their inability to govern "for the people"
Anonymous (October 21, 2006 @ 12:25pm):
Rae hasn't refused to debate Glatzel. She would be happy to do it in a format with all four candidates present. She objected to WPT's format for two reasons: 1) it marginalized third party candidates; and 2) being on the show with just Glatzel whould prevent Rae from discussing the main issues she is trying to raise against Kohl. Instead of talking about war, government by the rich, universal health care, etc., Rae would have had to address abortion rights, school vouchers, prayer in schools and the other 'evangelical Christian' talking points that Glatzel would have raised. These are important issues, but not central to her campaign against Kohl, and not central to the message she is trying to get out to the people of Wisconsin.
