KELO-TV ad: Debate to be "moderated" by Kranz and Hemmingsen

"...Dave Kranz is not, and never has been, the moderator in the upcoming KELO-TV/Argus Leader US Senate debate (Monday, 10/11)." - KELO-TV News Director Mark Millage, in an e-mail to SDP yesterday.

"Daschle vs. Thune Monday, October 11, 2004 7 P.M. on KELO Moderated by David Kranz and Steve Hemmingsen" - Newspaper ad in today's edition of the Argus Leader (page 7A).

Again, the moderator/panelist distinction is not a big deal. I just couldn't resist illustrating the fact that KELO's protestations that Kranz is not a moderator is beside the point. David Kranz's capacity to be fair and impartial is what's at issue here. Kranz's impartiality can legitimately be questioned, and KELO should seriously consider whether they wish to have a debate they are hosting tainted with even the perception that it is being conducted unfairly. The debate should be Thune vs. Daschle, not Thune vs. Daschle and Kranz.