With all the recent hubbub about the WNYT debate next week, let's not forget that WMHT and the Times Union have one this Thursday night, March 19th. Now we haven't been given a 'no' for sure on this one, so keep that in mind. That being said here's their standard (it should be noted that the document we were sent was created by Barry Stoner at WMHT on March 11th);
A candidate must be legally qualified and must be certified by the New York Department of State to appear on the ballot for the office being contested in the debate. The other criteria are designed to subjectively determine who constitutes a newsworthy candidate for the office being sought. The overriding selection is based on the judgment of the professional journalists on staff.
All legally qualified campaigns will be given the opportunity prior to a planned debate to provide evidence of their status as a newsworthy candidate. Among the questions that may be asked of the candidate:
Does the candidate actively campaign for election to the office across the jurisdiction he or she is seeking to represent? Indicators of an active campaign include:
• Creating a legal campaign committee regulated under state or federal law
• Establishing a campaign headquarters and telephone number staffed by an active staff, paid or volunteer.
• Articulating views on principal issues that affect the electorate by issuing position papers or through an active, accessible Internet site.
• Making regular personal campaign appearances across the jurisdiction.
• Active marketing and/or advertising efforts
• Financial resources beyond the candidate's own and/or active fundraising activity
• Routine and sustained contact with news media in the jurisdiction.
Does the candidate provide evidence of significant initial voter interest through a sizable volunteer effort, or significant turnouts at campaign stops, broad based financial support, or substantial news coverage?
Does the candidate demonstrate factual evidence that would include at least 5% voter preference in an independent poll or receipt of 5% of the total votes cast in the primary election?
Does the candidate provide evidence of popular support through service in a state or local elected office within the last five years within the candidate's current jurisdiction?
Is the candidate a representative of a nationally recognized political party, and does the candidate have the financial and logistical backing of that party?
When necessary, outside experts in politics, journalism, and the law may be consulted to review both the guidelines and to offer opinions on the manner in which the guidelines were applied in individual debates.
We'll post some of the reasons why we think we qualify on the next post.
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