Even though the WNPT website states that English Only referendum sponsor Eric Crafton “remains scheduled to appear” in a televised debate against David Briley, and moderated by John Seigenthaler, the Nashville Scene is reporting that Mr. Crafton has decided to pull out.
Councilman Mike Jameson (The Fightin’ 6th!) explains why he believes Councilman Crafton ran screaming from the opportunity with this money quote:
When you sit down in front of a well-informed moderator and a capable opponent that are clearly going to discuss the minutiae of your argument, it’s only natural for your blood pressure to spike. I mean, why does meat fear the meatgrinder?
Fear of a well-informed opponent and well-respected moderator aside, Councilman Crafton’s removal of himself from this public forum proves that his reasons for pushing this referendum have less to do with the well-being of the city than his own publicity-seeking and overtly ambitious personal agenda. He’ll appear on Fox and Friends and Lou Dobbs, which broadcast to a national audience, but a debate on a television station whose signal broadcasts to the greater Nashville area is a no go.
UPDATE: NPT’s Joe Pagetta tells us that their blog now indicates that Councilman Crafton will not be on the show but is still welcome if he changes his mind. Also, the show has been scaled back to a half hour. Thanks, Joe!
Thanks for the update, Joe!
Hi Mary. You must have been posting this at the same time I was updating the blog on our web site. Our blog on the site now indicates Crafton not being on the show (though still welcomed to join us). We’ve also cut it to half-hour. Thanks.