Libertarian included in Cohen-Wong debate at Rice

You may recall that Ellen Cohen and Martha Wong were invited to participate in a debate at Rice University, which is now scheduled for October 12. Apparently, the debate will now also include Libertarian candidate and current Rice student Mhair Dekmezian. What's interesting to me is that this was done at the insistence of the Wong campaign. Here's the press release that the Rice Dems and Rice Republicans sent out to announce the change:

The Rice Young Democrats and Rice College Republicans have agreed to invite Libertarian candidate Mhair Dekmezian to a debate hosted on October 12 at Rice University, as requested by State Representative Martha Wong.

"We want to do whatever we can to make this debate a success," said Rice College Republicans Chairman John Stallcup. "Mr. Dekmezian should be a fine addition to the discussion."

"We're flexible, and we want to address Representative Wong's concerns," said Ryan Goodland, Rice Young Democrats President. "I'm looking forward to seeing the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian candidates for HD-134 share a stage on October 12."

The debate between the candidates will be held on October 12 at 8pm in Rice University's McMurtry Auditorium. It is open to the public.

As far as I know, Dekmezian is not going to appear at the Intown Chamber of Commerce debate coming up this Wednesday morning, so maybe this was a courtesy for the hometown boy, I don't know. I do know that Wong is practically cackling with glee about her triumph over the Rice Dems in press release (Word doc), and that I find the whole thing a little weird. Make of this what you will.

UPDATE: I have edited the quote from Rice College Republicans Chairman John Stallcup after being informed that the press released I had quoted from was an earlier version.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on September 17, 2006 to Election 2006 | TrackBack