By Bill Zeeble
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-878692.mp3
Dallas –
Republican Gubernatorial hopeful Debra Medina says she's grateful to be included in next week's televised Texas Debate. KERA and its media partners are producing the debate which will be broadcast statewide on January 14th. KERA says it has invited Medina to join Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry to the debate because she met the station's long-standing criteria. KERA' s Bill Zeeble has more on why Medina is being invited.
At a Lewisville campaign event Tuesday, Debra Medina said she was excited to receive the debate invitation. She spoke of herself in the 3rd person.
Debra Medina, GOP candidate for governor: The ideas and the views that Debra Medina brings to the opportunities for Texas are very different to the solutions and ideas that Kay Hutchison and Rick Perry are talking about. I'm excited about being able to share those views with all of Texas.
Medina, a Tea Party activist, has demanded she be invited to this first debate with the well-known incumbents. KERA says it decided to include her after evaluating her campaign, and said she meets longstanding station criteria. Among issues considered was whether Medina has actively campaigned, generating media and public interest. Guidelines also allow for considering political polls, but KERA says polls played a minor role in the decision because recent polling data is scarce. Southern Methodist University Political Science Professor Cal Jillson says Medina must now deliver.
Cal Jillson, Southern Methodist University Political Science Professor: That's key for any challenger who's not known going into an election. To stand on the same stage with well known politicians, go toe-to-toe with them, and look plausible as a choice, in relation to them.
Both Governor Rick Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison say they welcome Medina to the January 14th's debate. Catherine Frazier is with Texans for Rick Perry.
Catherine Frazier, Texans for Rick Perry: The Governor looks forward to sharing his vision for Texas' future, sharing the positive story that Texas has accomplished under his leadership.
Frazier says criteria for Medina's inclusion in KERA's debate was always the station's to determine. Spokesperson Jennifer Baker is with Senator Hutchison's Texans for Kay campaign.
Jennifer Baker, spokesperson,Texans for Kay: We've always welcomed her into the debate and we look forward to discussing Perry's failed record.
With just 8 days before the debate, SMU's Cal Jillson says the candidates have a lot of preparation ahead. Though Medina could add some fireworks, he says most voters will focus on the Perry-Hutchison duel.
Jillson: This is an opportunity for Hutchison to confront him directly and maybe change the shape of the campaign or it's an opportunity for him to convince people they were right to be looking his way.
This Texas Debate on January 14th will mark the first time Hutchison, Perry and Medina square off on the same stage even though the March 2nd primary is less than two months away. The statewide broadcast from the Murchison Auditorium at the University of North Texas will include a live audience. Questions will be posed by a panel of journalists and voters. KERA's Shelley Kofler will moderate the debate.