Sen. Brown will debate Elizabeth Warren on the condition that MSNBC drops out [View all]

[cynatnite]

Fascinating sign of the times: Sen. Scott Brown announced today that he will accept an invitation to debate Elizabeth Warren at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, but only on two conditions -- one of which is that MSNBC, which is scheduled to host the debate, must drop out as a sponsor.

In a letter to the Kennedy Institute, campaign manager Jim Barnett wrote that while it was ok with the moderator, NBC's Tom Brokaw, it could not accept a network "with a reputation for political advocacy." Via the Boston Globe:

While we accept Tom Brokaw as a moderator, we prefer debates with local media sponsors, not out-of-state cable networks with a reputation for political advocacy,” he continued. “We are confident that issue can be easily addressed as there are a number of Massachusetts media outlets that would be willing to sponsor a debate such as the one you are proposing for the Kennedy Institute, and I’m sure they would be pleased to have Mr. Brokaw as moderator.

I've just reached out to MSNBC for comment and response, and will update here if and when I hear back.

Sen. Brown's other caveat is that Vicki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s widow and the woman who invited the candidates to the debate, promise to stay neutral in the election.

UPDATE: A spokesperson with MSNBC tells POLITICO the network was never confirmed to air the debate:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/06/sen-brown-to-debate-if-msnbc-drops-out-126530.html