DETROIT, Aug. 23, 2007

Fox-Backed Democrat Debate Called Off

Sept. 23 Debate Will Not Be Held; Major Candidates Had Been Planning To Skip

  • Play CBS Video Video Summer Politics Heating Up

    It's been a busy August for the 2008 Presidential Candidates. Vaughn Ververs, Sr. Pol. Editor of CBSNews.com, weighs in on the most recent Democratic debate.

  • Democratic presidential hopefuls, from left , Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.; former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.; Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.; Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del.; and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, at the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., July 23, 2007.

    Democratic presidential hopefuls, from left , Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.; former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.; Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.; Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del.; and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, at the debate sponsored by CNN, YouTube and Google at The Citadel military college in Charleston, S.C., July 23, 2007.  (AP/Mary Ann Chastain)

(AP)  Fox News and a black political group say they will not hold a Sept. 23 Democratic presidential debate in Detroit, which the leading candidates already were planning to skip.

A new date had not yet been set, Fox News spokesman Michael Murphy said Thursday.

The campaigns of U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards had said they would not participate in the debate. Opponents have criticized Fox as biased against Democrats.

The debate, co-sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, was to have been held at the Fox Theatre.

Institute chairman U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said in a statement on the group's Web site that the "overwhelming number of party presidential debates has created a scheduling challenge."

"Revisiting the CBC Institute's debate schedule will allow the time necessary to complete all debate logistics in an effective manner," he said. The group had said it planned to sponsor two Democratic and two Republican presidential debates.


©MMVII, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment See all 66 Comments
by chicagopoet August 25, 2007 3:59 PM EDT
The top ten questions Fox News planned to ask the candidates. 10). Obama, are you a Islamic terrorist? 9). Mrs Clinton, what exactly did your husband do with his cigar? 8). Edwards, is your wife faking her cancer? 7). Kucinich, who does your hair? 6). Biden, doesn''t your name mean, like, Buffalo or something? 5). Edwards, our next question will be presented by that she-devil. 4). Kucinich, are you Herman Munster''s uncle? 3). Clinton, do you plan to religuish power to the vice president once a month? 2). Edwards, how much do you pay for a haircut? And the #1 thing Fox News planned to ask the candidates: aren''t you all just a bunch of traitor moonbats?
Reply to this comment
by xzavierbrown August 25, 2007 5:55 AM EDT
are there any ''GOOD AND CREDIBLE'' liberal theatre to hold this debate???

how about MTV?? right after the Flavor Flave reality show?? then they can promise the "coreys" and then the unbiased "Lil Bush" cartoon skit..that would guarantee that the liberals would stick around..I already know a Democrats 12 step plan for 4 years plan that would save this planet..
1.blame bush
2.blame bush
3.blame bush
4.blame bush
5.blame bush
6.blame bush
7.blame bush
8.blame bush
9.blame bush
10.blame bush
11.blame bush
12.blame bush

if that fails..blame the christians..if that fails..blame the jews.
Reply to this comment
by xzavierbrown August 25, 2007 5:39 AM EDT
the major DNC candidates should hold the debate where the audience will not be biased and can really measure up to the proper mentality.

lets try CARTOON NETWORK..make sure you dress up Hillary as spongebob..or else the liberals would start to loose interest..
Reply to this comment
by xzavierbrown August 25, 2007 5:33 AM EDT
the DNC will hold it in a more credible source of politics..a source that can reach out to real liberals..COMEDY CENTRAL..in the COLBERT COMEDY SHOW. oh wait is that FUSE TV??
Reply to this comment
by chicagopoet August 25, 2007 12:21 AM EDT
Fox News is like someone playing with his own pee pee. Fox News is a gall stone that won''t pass. Fox News is the smell on your fingers after you scratch your butt. Fox News sings "Himmlers" at Christmas time. Fox News should be renamed the Fiction Channel. Fox News is a parody of legitimate news channels. Fox News is a crappy old diaper left on a beach on a steamy hundred degree day. Fox News is like comedy central but it doesn''t know it''s telling jokes. Fox News is a sty in the eye of liberty. Fox News is like getting charged extra for the fly in your soup. In order to work for Fox News you have to take a test to make sure how stupid you are. In order to work for Fox News you have to sell your soul to the ghost of Adolf Hitler. Fox News puts its thumbs in its ears and wiggles its fingers as it blows a rasperry out its mouth. Fox News is the fruitcake you get for Christmas that you use as a paper weight. Fox News should be a hardware store it contains so many nuts.
Reply to this comment
by Shadyrok August 24, 2007 8:40 PM EDT
Faux News rates right around zero with me. I don''t blame the candidates one bit for not debating on FauxNews. They are nothing but a mouth piece for the current white house. They need to get out of the bush''s... They really count on the public being completely brain dead to watch them! Their misrepresentations are soooo obvious.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 August 24, 2007 3:44 PM EDT
There is much in America that 75% of us agree with (from moderate Republicans to Progressive Democrats); there is your landslide. Forget the crazy 25%; they do not live in reality.
Posted by LawyerTom1 at 06:00 PM : Aug 23, 2007
Please cite your sources for these numbers.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 August 24, 2007 3:42 PM EDT
Expecting the Democrats to debate on Fox News is like expecting the Republicans to debate with Michael Moore as a moderator. Fox News is a cankor sore in the mouth of America. Fox News is a hemerhoid that dreams of growing up and being a brain some day. Fox News should go listen to Ted Nugent and stop pretending they are a news organization. The military should surround Fox News and blast rock and roll music until Richard Murdock surrenders. Fox News is a herpe on the American flag. Whoever gets elected into office should launch a full investigation into Fox News'''' rigging of past elections. Fox News is run by a bunch of traitors who hate America and want to destroy it.
Posted by chicagopoet at 05:35 PM : Aug 23, 2007
I''m sorry about my last post to you. I honestly thought I was holding an intellectual conversation with a mature enlightened individual. I realize now that you are just another troll.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 August 24, 2007 3:39 PM EDT
Fox News is #1 in its own mind. Just read the posts here and you will see the maturity level of those who support it.
Well, since I watch the news on many channels including FOX, I don''t see your correlation. The ones spewing garbage seem to be the Dems on here who are acting immature.

Fox News is composed of a bunch of traitors who hate America and want to destroy it. Why would any candidate from either party want to participate in that. I mean, just read the posts from the people who watch Fox News. They are a good representation of what Fox News is all about, just farts farts and more farts.

Once again with your lack of maturity.

Who in their right mind would want to be seen on Fox News? Only someone who doesn''''t care about her or his reputation. Fox News is a criminal organization. Richard Murdock should be arrested and charged fraud. Fox News is like Saturday Morning cartoons in a never ending nightmare. Fox News is run by a bunch of blood drinking vampires. Fox News is pure nuts.
Posted by chicagopoet at 04:26 PM : Aug 23, 2007
But, how do yuou really feel about them?
Reply to this comment
by hadenufff August 24, 2007 11:20 AM EDT
So the dems claim that they can''t participate in a debate that is sponsored by Fox News, because Fox News is biased against democrats. So I suppose that CNN, MSNBC, and others are not biased against repubs! What a bunch of nonsense. If these whining democommies can''t participate in a debate sponsored by Fox how in the hell are they going to stand up to the enemies of our country? If that''s all it takes to make them turn tail and run like a bunch of cowards that they are, well then I guess that about says all I need to here about the democommies. What a bunch of wimps and cowards.
Reply to this comment
by stcyrlyme2 August 24, 2007 2:55 AM EDT
I think they got the message very loud and clear that we do not want to air our presidential debates on that network for obvious reasons.

The black caucus members should know what they are if they don''t.

I find it disrespectful to the Democratic party and especially to African Americans who the gang on Fox News consistently treat as if we are not human.

Why would they get in bed with these thugs in the first place?

It clearly shows that they like the blue dog Dem''s, are just not thinking rasional, but the people that vote them into office are here to tell them they need to start thinking more about the group they claim to represent and that is a fact.

Fox News dosent even respect the black caucus members either. They went after Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her vote against Bushes illegal war and sister Maxine Waters for her in your face stand against Bushes Daddy, when he tired to disrespect her and Alcee Hastings when they thought he would be getting a top leadership job in the house and just look at what they are trying and failing to do to Senator Obama.

You see the big money machine is working its majic again. There is no other reason for this kind of *** other then a bigggggggggg check for their service.

It just makes me sick to think they would do this and I hope we never have to address this again.
Reply to this comment
by lawyertom1 August 23, 2007 9:00 PM EDT
There is no doubt that Faux Noise is bias, one-sided, prone to lie, deceive, parrot the Shrub, etc. etc. But, there is no harm in walking into the lion''s den and, as they use to say, whomping the ugly stick. Given the utter failure of the Shrub and Chain Gang, the demo''s might even win over a few folks. Not the nuts that blog on this site, but some of the more rationale conservatives who have much to be unhappy about. Time for the demo''s to be creative and split the business conservatives from the cultural conservatives. Shades of the DLC. There is much in America that 75% of us agree with (from moderate Republicans to Progressive Democrats); there is your landslide. Forget the crazy 25%; they do not live in reality.
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy August 23, 2007 8:43 PM EDT
So tomorrow they can hone in on bashing the Almighty.
Posted by mudrose
Typical righty. GOPer candidates can got to jail in droves for everything from insider trading to child molesting but they are the party of the Almight. It is their luxury to sin more than the left because they are the forgiven ones...
Reply to this comment
by chicagopoet August 23, 2007 8:35 PM EDT
Expecting the Democrats to debate on Fox News is like expecting the Republicans to debate with Michael Moore as a moderator. Fox News is a cankor sore in the mouth of America. Fox News is a hemerhoid that dreams of growing up and being a brain some day. Fox News should go listen to Ted Nugent and stop pretending they are a news organization. The military should surround Fox News and blast rock and roll music until Richard Murdock surrenders. Fox News is a herpe on the American flag. Whoever gets elected into office should launch a full investigation into Fox News'' rigging of past elections. Fox News is run by a bunch of traitors who hate America and want to destroy it.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 August 23, 2007 7:57 PM EDT
I honestly don'''' see a problem. Hell, he even plays Bush jokes at the end of the program....I mean jokes at his expense.
Posted by infidel_us

Hey, they''re all going over to CNN. Seems that Amanpour has a series on "God''s Warriors". So tomorrow they can hone in on bashing the Almighty. Good, clean, wholesome reporting doesn''t interest them, they aren''t challenged enough. Doesn''t draw blood, doesn''t make them wanna fight like Vicks pit bulls (poor analogy, I apologize to the it bulls). Catcha at the next sunrise. P.S. On the 27th check out the sky at about 12:30 a.m. I hear Mars will appear and the sky will be lit with two moons. Won''t see it again in our lifetime. Thought you might need to hear something uplifting.
Reply to this comment
by donnie900 August 23, 2007 7:54 PM EDT
Its like giving paris hilton a uzzi.
Reply to this comment
by donnie900 August 23, 2007 7:51 PM EDT
People say: "Those dammmned republicans.. Censoring me." But fact of the matter is, once Hillary Clinton gits a hold''a George Bush''s whitehouse, she''s gonna be the creature from the black lagoon with all her two-face-isms. All her "it takes a mufffdiver" philosophies.. Intrusion and obfuscation to womanhood is the nightmare saint thomas aquanis was talking about when he said: "Fate worse than death is woman".. Cuz they don''t have a peckkkker, see.. They don''t even know what it is.
Reply to this comment
by donnie900 August 23, 2007 7:48 PM EDT
Its well known that democrats can''t stand up to tough criticism. People say that republicans are secretive.. but fact of the matter is, ain''t nobody more secretive and elusive than a democrat. They''re scared to death of republicans, and republican outlets like Fox asking republican questions. They live in a fluffy fuzzy world of make believe and champaign..
Reply to this comment
by donnie900 August 23, 2007 7:39 PM EDT
Thank goodness. Once a democrat is elected then they''ll start hiring schizophrenic columnists again..
Reply to this comment
by infidel_us August 23, 2007 7:28 PM EDT
There''''s bias for sure in the MSM(both left and right) but no regular on the MSM shows presents monologues fron the DNC like Brit Hume carries water for the RNC.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 04:09 PM : Aug 23, 2007

I watch Brit Hume everyday. I actually look for bias in all of Fox''s work - except the Simpsons! :)

Hume has Maura Liason, Mort Kondrake, and one other guy whose name excapes me now. They have panel discussions on the big events of the day and ALL areas are represented - left, middle, right.

I honestly don'' see a problem. Hell, he even plays Bush jokes at the end of the program....I mean jokes at his expense.
Reply to this comment
See all 66 Comments

Exclusive Webshow

Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective. Watch Now

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
  • The Fall Of The Berlin Wall The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

    Looking Back at the Wall that Once Divided Germany On the 20th Anniversary of Its Collapse

  • Patricia Clarkson Patricia Clarkson

    Television and Film Actress, Yale School of Drama Graduate and Academy Award Nominee

  • Day in Pictures Day in Pictures

    A Glimpse at the Day's News as Seen Through a Camera Lens

  • Andre Agassi Andre Agassi

    Former Top-Seeded Tennis Star, Gossip Column Favorite and Philanthropist

  • Yankees Victory Parade Yankees Victory Parade

    The Yankees Celebrate Their 27th World Series Championship with a Ticker-Tape Parade Up Broadway

  • Orlando Office Shooting Orlando Office Shooting

    A Gunman Opens Fire at the Offices of an Engineering Firm Where He Once Worked

Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: