First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary Gets Short ShriftABC Channel 7, WJLA-TV, is not planning to broadcast to the DC viewing area the first democratic presidential candidate debate on May 3. ABC is running the debate live in other areas with early primaries. In short, Channel 7 is saying places like New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina play important roles during the early stages of the nominating process, so their affiliates will air the debate. The decision-makers at Channel 7 must not think much of DC's primary on Jan. 13, 2004. For more information, see this Washington Post article.
You can help by sending an e-mail today to Bill Lord, WJLA's vice president for news. Choose your own words, or cut and paste the following text:
Dear Mr. Lord,
Please broadcast to the Washington, DC, area the May 3 Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate.
Viewers in markets with primaries at the beginning of the nominating process, such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, will see the debate in its entirety after their local late-night news.
DC voters will also play an important role in the earliest stages of the nominating process when we select our preferred candidate in the Jan. 13, 2004, presidential primary election.
For the first time in 200 years, the District of Columbia will play a truly meaningful role in selecting a presidential nominee. I hope WJLA will give this the attention it deserves, beginning with the broadcast of the May 3 debate.
Sincerely,