He Says He Will, but Not When or Where
The first gubernatorial debate on a major local media outlet is scheduled for August 22nd, when NY1 is slated to host the two candidates at Queens College. Nixon has accepted the cable news channel's invitation, but so far Cuomo has not made any such commitment.Â
His campaign declined to comment, but in the past a spokeswoman has said they are negotiating over the number of debates and their format.
"If there's been any negotiating, I haven't seen it," said Nixon spokeswoman Lauren Hitt. "We extended this challenge in May, and we have yet to hear anything."
She said communications with the Cuomo campaign have gone unanswered.
Some media outlets, though, have been in contact with the Cuomo campaign, including NY1 and a consortium that includes WABC, the New York Daily News and WNYC. None would comment on the substance of talks, out of fear of jeopardizing their role as debate host.
Four years ago, Cuomo refused outright to debate his primary challenger, law professor Zephyr Teachout. NY1 hosted a 'debate,' anyway, featuring Teachout and an empty chair.
A spokeswoman for NY1 would not say whether the station is prepared to repeat that format again, if Cuomo repeats his refusal.
State primaries are on Thurs., Sept. 13.
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