News Flash: 10/19/2000, Latest Updates On Friday's Presidential Debates

Dateline 10/19/2000

Latest Updates On Friday's Presidential Debates

The following press release was sent to all major media today by Judicial Watch, the organization sponsoring Friday night's presidential debate. Today (Thursday), C-SPAN confirmed its commitment to broadcast the debate live on Friday, October 20, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. As always, please check local listings for any last-minute scheduling changes.

For Immediate Release

10/19/2000
Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172

THIRD PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BROWN, PHILLIPS, AND HAGELIN TO ATTEND JUDICIAL WATCH'S ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT DEBATE

Libertarian Party, Constitution Party and Natural Law Party Honor Commitments

Reform Party Candidate Buchanan Being "Reminded" About His Unconditional Commitment

(Washington, DC) As explained in part in a column today in WorldNetDaily.com entitled "Judicial Watch Debate Tomorrow" (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_fosterj_news/20001019_xnfoj_judicial_w. shtml ), Judicial Watch recently learned from the assistant to the campaign manager of Texas Governor George W. Bush that the Republican Party Presidential Candidate had extracted a quid pro quo from the Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Al Gore. In exchange for Governor Bush attending the three Presidential Commission Debates, Vice President Gore agreed not to attend Judicial Watch's debate or any other debates. Judicial Watch, however, will not take no for an answer and expects Vice President Gore to honor his commitment. Governor Bush should also attend the event and not be shy about discussing issues of government ethics. WorldNetDaily.com has also reported, incorrectly, that the Reform Party Presidential Candidate Patrick J. Buchanan has made a final decision to renege on his agreement to attend, based upon Vice President Gore's recent decision not to attend. Mr. Buchanan had accepted unconditionally in a letter of August 28, 2000, stating: "We accept your invitation to participate in the Judicial Watch debate during your Ethics in Government 2000 Conference on October 20, 2000." A copy of the letter will be placed on Judicial Watch's website at www.JudicialWatch.org. Judicial Watch Chairman Larry Klayman has talked with high-level Reform Party officials, including Reform Party Vice Presidential Candidate Ezola Foster, and efforts are being made to have Mr. Buchanan honor his commitment."

Judicial Watch is pleased that the Libertarian, Constitution, and Natural Law Party Presidential Candidates are honoring their commitments to appear. All three are intelligent men who are not afraid to discuss the issues of restoring ethics to government. As for any candidates who do not appear and who have not accepted or reneged on their commitments, the American people can only draw one conclusion; that they either have no interest in ethics or, because of their own pasts, are afraid to open a 'Pandora's Box' to discuss this most important issue for the country's survival. In the case of Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, who have been crying about not being able to debate, their 'crocodile tears' now seem rather empty," stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

Recent letters to the Bush, Gore, and Buchanan Campaigns can be found at www.JudicialWatch.org.

Four television networks have shown interest in carrying the debate live--C-Span, America's Voice, Conus, and Northwest Cable Provider. While it is likely that C-Span will carry the debate, at a minimum American's Voice will carry this debate. The Ronald Reagan Center convention hall will be packed with 600 persons, 44 of whom are foreign ambassadors, as well as members of the Washington press corps. The debate is hosted by Jim Bohannon, of Westwood One, with panelists Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily.com, Paul Rodriguez of Insight Magazine, Ellen Ratner of FOX News Channel, Blanquita Cullum of Radio America, and Armstrong Williams (nationally-syndicated columnist and radio host).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT: 1-800-790-9065

This email was provided by Judicial Watch.

Please visit us at http://www.JudicialWatch.org/