Zephyr Teachout Debated An Empty Chair on NY1 Last Night

[hrmjustin]

Anna Merlan
There was a debate in the governor's race scheduled last night, but, as expected, only one candidate showed up. Zephyr Teachout, who's challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary election on September 9, has repeatedly asked Cuomo to debate her. The response, she's said, has been "total silence." New York 1 got the same answer when Inside City Hall host Errol Louis asked the governor to participate in a debate. So last night, Teachout went on NY1 and, rather cheerily, argued with an absent Cuomo, who she likened at one point to Ronald Reagan.

With substantial leads in the polls and absolutely towering leads in fundraising, Cuomo's camp has clearly decided he can safely ignore Teachout. They've stuck with that policy for weeks: speaking to reporters yesterday, eight days before the primary, the governor said, "The campaign season hasn't really started yet." In another press scrum, shown on NY1 last night, he said, wryly, "I've been in many debates that I think were a disservice to democracy. So anyone who says debates are always a service to democracy hasn't watched all the debates I've been in."

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/09/zephyr_teachout_debated_an_empty_chair_on_ny1_last_night.php

[yeoman6987]

1. To me that is just chilish

They tried that on Anthony Brown in the Maryland Democtatic Primary. It didn't work and made the two other Democratic nominees look silly and they paid for it by losing the primary. Anthony Brown is most likely the next Governor of Maryland regardless of showing up for the debate.

[hrmjustin]

2. Cuomo said debates are not always good.

I think he should debate her.

[yeoman6987]

3. Only if he is possibly going to lose

Otherwise waste of time for him to bother.

[hrmjustin]

4. But not a waste of time for the voters.

[yeoman6987]

5. Yes it is

I have sat in front of too many debates to see they are staged and does not have any say on the outcome of an election. I could have guessed easily the last 6 Presidential elections easily.

[hrmjustin]

6. So you don't care for debates?

[yeoman6987]

9. Oh for entertainment or a good laugh,

They are fine. Do we as a whole learn anything new? No!

[hrmjustin]

10. I guess they matter more in close rzces but I do watch them.

[yeoman6987]

13. I watch them too

But I guess my point is that I would not "complain" or put up a cut-out of the candidate if they decided to sit-out a debate.

[hrmjustin]

15. they can be boring at times.

[yeoman6987]

7. I will ad that before internet

They were more important. Today not only are they poorly watched, but very unnessary.

[hrmjustin]

8. I suppose if there is a gaff then it becomes important.

[yeoman6987]

11. Ok I suppose the "oops"

was interesting for Perry, but Romney was the annointed one for 2012 so Perry would have lost regardless.

[hrmjustin]

12. I cringe when I see that.

[yeoman6987]

14. Lol

Me too.

[hrmjustin]

16. I hate watching train wrecks.