Gov. Jon Corzine will not participate in a gubernatorial debate on New Jersey 101.5, according to Eric Scott, the news director.  Scott says he received a letter from the Corzine campaign this morning.

"Jon Corzine has now become the first candidate for statewide office in almost twenty years to turn his back on our one-million listeners by refusing to  appear on New Jersey 101.5 to talk directly to New Jersey voters about the issues that are important to them," Scott told PolitickerNJ.com. 

Scott says that Corzine participated in multiple programs and debate son 101.5 as a candidate for U.S. Senator in 2000 and for Governor in 2005.

"In this election, however, Jon Corzine appears to have made the strategic decision to pretend that we simply do not exist," said Scott, who noted that today's letter, dated September 9, was the first communication from the campaign since the debate invitation was extended in July.

Corzine will participate in two official debates and has agreed to a debate on a Newark-based jazz radio station.  But he has not decided if he will take part in a League of Women Voters debate to be aired on ABC-TV's New York and Philadelphia network affiliates.

Republican Christopher Christie and Independent Christopher Daggett have agreed to debate on 101.5. 

The station is among the sponsors of an official debate for Lt. Governor candidates that will include Corzine's running mate, State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck).

A radio gubernatorial debate is in the works, though it's unclear right now whether all three major candidates will agree to it.

Gov. Jon Corzine and Independent Christopher Daggett have said they will take part in a debate on WBGO - "Jazz 88" - on Thursday, October 22 at 8pm.  But Republican gubernatorial nominee Christopher Christie is waiting to see how Corzine reconsiders his refusal to attend the League of Women Voters debate for October 16, which would have been broadcast by the New York and Philadelphia ABC affiliate, and from NJ 101.5.

"Jon Corzine is afraid to debate on a major network affiliate with a large audience but agrees to a debate on a station whose board is stacked with Democrat party loyalists," said Christie strategist Michael DuHaime. "He should be willing to go on network if for no other reason than to apologize to as many New Jerseyans as possible for raising income, business and property taxes, taking way property tax rebates and property tax deductions and doubling the unemployment rate.  On Election Day, he won't be able to hide behind his money anymore."

After Corzine initially refused to participate in New Jersey Network's October 1 debate that was sanctioned by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), NJN tried to move it back to October 22, since Corzine indicated he would take part then.  That led to ELEC's four commissioners deadlocked along partisan lines, and to Corzine acquiescing to the original date.  Christie Campaign Manager Bill Stepien then issued a statement inviting Corzine to debate on the later date, since "it appears his schedule is also open for a debate on Oct. 22."

"While we have agreed to the debate, Christie has not, even after he challenged the governor to debate on that very same date," said Corzine spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith.

Is Gov. Jon Corzine avoiding NJ 101.5, the state's most politically influential radio station?  Sources say that the station invited Corzine and other gubernatorial candidates separate opportunities to go on the air this week.  Corzine was invited any time between 6AM and 10AM on Thursday and Friday, but declined, citing scheduling obligations. 

Corzine has not yet agreed to participate in the station's October gubernatorial debate, which will be held at Rider University and broadcast to over 3 million listeners over the Millennium Network.  On May 27, 2009, the Star Ledger wrote of "the ritual the 101.5 debate has become in New Jersey Politics."  Republican Christopher Christie and independent Christopher Daggett have already signed on.

Because he is not accepting public financing, Corzine is not obligated to participate in either of the two official gubernatorial debates authorized by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.  He can if he wants to.  He'll need to let the commission know by September 1.

The three Republican candidates for Governor will debate on New Jersey 101.5 at 7PM next Tuesday.   This will be the first time Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) joins former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan in a formal debate.  101.5's Eric Scott will moderate.    Questions can be asked by calling 800-283-1015.

The NJ 101.5 radio debate scheduled later this month was one Frank Lautenberg quickly agreed to - in fact his campaign was the first to confirm its participation.

Could it be that Lautenberg isn't really "ducking debates" as Zimmer charged and the media reported?  Or is it that Millennium Radio's flagship station has matured from Animal House to "Meet the Press" standing in New Jersey politics?

"We'd like to think if someone is running for statewide political office, it's become a right of passage to appear on our station," offered Eric Scott, the station's news director.  "We've done a debate in every major political race over the last 15 years.

One of those debates featured a no-show Lautenberg, with his opponent Doug Forrester debating an empty chair. 

The station also believes it has the best format for these face-offs and offers the "only true debate" during the election cycle.

In the studio the candidates have no choice but to get up close - - and sometimes, personal - - with Scott serving as ringmaster.

It’s no surprise when shock jocks display poor behavior. The problem starts when their antics infect the newsroom.

At the recent 101.5-incited Statehouse rally protesting the Gov’s EZ Pass to getting the State out of debt, we saw both extremes.

It’s fair game when commentators want to use their airtime to grumble about government. It’s probably even OK if they want to stage a protest rally with their rabid listeners as a Greek chorus.