BROADCASTER ALERT

The Nevada Broadcasters Association began negotiations with the campaign staffs of Sharron Angle and Senator Harry Reid immediately following the June 8 Primary Election.

There was positive, open and respectful communication between each campaign staff and the Nevada Broadcasters Association.  Unfortunately, we reached a challenge that we were not able to resolve.  The Angle campaign would only debate prior to the start of Early Voting. The Reid campaign would not commit to a debate they were not certain the Senator could attend and explained that despite a published calendar, it was possible that unfinished Senate business might keep the Senator in Washington, D.C.

We were advised by the Association’s Washington communications counsel and the National Association of Broadcasters that there is never a guarantee of when the Senate will actually recess and there certainly is the possibility that the Senate session might be extended a day; a few days or for even up to a week.

We presented this debate as an opportunity for both campaigns and for the voters.  Our goal was to engage the voters.  Unfortunately, the NBA has no other choice but to withdraw from sponsoring the 2010 Senator Debate.  The debate was projected to be carried by a majority of Nevada's television and radio stations.