Chamber cancels congressional debate for 3rd District

Posted at 11:56 AM on October 2, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD3

The next debate scheduled in Minnesota's hotly contested 3rd District race has been canceled.

The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce organized the early morning forum to be held on Monday, Oct. 6. DFLer Ashwin Madia, Republican Erik Paulsen and Independence Party candidate David Dillon all agreed to attend, but the chamber has canceled the debate because it couldn't sell enough tickets.

The event, which included breakfast, would have cost $25 for chamber members and $40 for non-members.

There are four other debates still on the schedule. Three are broadcast live by various media outlets. There is only one, sponsored by Debate Minnesota, which interested voters can watch in person. Here are the details:

Fri., 10/10 - 7 p.m. - Almanac - Airs live on Twin Cities Public Television, channel 2. If you miss it, there will be rebroadcasts.

Fri, 10/17 - 8 p.m. - League of Women Voters - Airs live on KSTP, channel 5.

Wed. 10/22 - 8 p.m. - Debate Minnesota - Valley View Middle School, 6750 Valleyview Rd., Edina. (Free!)

Mon. 10/27 - 11 a.m. - Minnesota Public Radio News - Airs live on Midday with Gary Eichten.

Comments (1)

It's too bad the Eden Prairied Chamber, just like the Twin West Chamber, was more concerned with making money than doing a public service and allowing the voters another opportunity to see and hear the candidates in this important race. A modest fee to attend that would have covered the meal and an additional expenses (not paying for staff salary already on the books like Twin West) would have probably drawn a nice crowd and also given the Chamber a chance to showcase their organization to non-members. What this also does is give Eric Paulsen another opportunity to avoid the public and leave us wondering just what are his priorities and ideas for helping lead the 3rd. At least Madia continues to engage the voters at every opportunity and tell us clearly where he stands on the issues...exactly the kind of leadership we deserve in Washington.

Posted by rainman | October 3, 2008 10:06 AM

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