On the TV… 13WHAM ran a piece this morning with Sustainability Party candidate Andrew Stainton and AM talk-radio gasbag Bill Nojay talking about whether or not Brooks would agree to debate Stainton. I’m a little disappointed, I’d though that they were actually going to talk about, you know, issues…

Nojay used to be head of the RGRTA, and Stainton is running largely on transit issues such as light rail and improved pedestrian access. Nojay birthed Ren square. Stainton told us that Ren Square “is the embodiment of what’s wrong with big government.”

This could have been an awesome debate, a real chance to see a clash of ideologies, and an excellent opportunity for the people to hear ideas from a candidate who supports alternatives to the drive-everywhere car culture. 13WHAM wasn’t about to let that happen, though.

The video presented a well-lit Nojay in studio, wearing a jacket and tie, in a tight head and shoulders shot. Stainton is presented as an outsider, standing in the public market, without a tie, and with a run-down building in the background. The camera is much further away from Stainton, as though they don’t want to get too close to this dangerous man…

13WHAM: “…top stories this morning. Should voters get a chance to hear a debate in the race for Monroe County Executive, even though the Democrats are not running a challenger…

13WHAM: “If you’re on the ballot, do you expect to have a chance to debate Ms. Brooks?

Stainton: “Absolutely, and I think that’s what the voters would expect as well…we look forward to it.

Nojay [smirking]: “..anybody’s entitled to stand on a soap box on a street corner and yell out their views. He’s NOT a serious candidate. If he were a serious candidate, I’m sure that he’d be debating his opposition… [long-winded answer about purpose of campaigns, debates] In terms of debates, if the Democrat party had a candidate, they would have positions that would be something we could debate about.

Steve Minarik speaking for Maggie Brooks: “Maggie’s always been available and accessible to the media and the citizens of Monroe County, but she’s not going to debate somebody who’s not a serious candidate. If someone can raise the money and prove they’re a real candidate, we’d be open to that.

13WHAM asked Minarik how much money would Stainton need to prove that he’s serious, Minarik said ~$250,000.

Stainton: “It seems to me that the definition of a serious candidate is one whe can get votes. One with a set of ideas that people appreciate hearing about. As we go around collecting signatures these last few weeks, what we’re finding is that, even from Republicans, that they really appreciate the fact that there is a second choice, that there is an opportunity to air out some of the questions that are circling around that continue to go unanswered, and that they’re looking forward to that. So I would assume that the definition of a serious candidate is one that’s on the ballot, and one that people can vote for if they choose to…

13WHAM: “If you are a serious candidate, then why can’t you raise that much money?

Stainton: “I’m talking to you now, and the message is getting out… We feel that we have a very appealing platform… What I heard Bill Nojay saying in a very long-winded way [camera cut to laughing Nojay] was that Monroe County doesn’t deserve a choice, that we don’t deserve a second look at things…

Nojay: “I think they do deserve a second choice! And I think the Democrat party should provide one! The real story in this election is that the Democrat Party, after four years of complaining about Republicans and Maggie Brooks, can’t even come up with a candidate…

Stainton: “Why is it up to Bill Nojay to decide where the second candidate comes from? This is a democracy.. it’s open… new parties form, old parties go away, it’s in flux, and that’s the kind of dynamism that we need to bring to Monroe County politics right now.

13WHAM: “Bill, he’s essentially saying that we shouldn’t just be relying on two parties, that a dynamic political system allows more than one party, but you’re essentially blaming the Democrats for not having a debate, do you think it’s important for the voters to hear the incumbent talking about the issues before the election?

Nojay: “Absolutely! [Brooks is the best thing since sliced bread, every one loves her] According to the Democrats at least, they think she’s doing a pretty good job, or they would be running someone against her…

Stainton: “If she’s really interested in talking to the voters, then we’re looking forward to the debate.

The video is at 13WHAM’s site.

Watch for Nojay’s use of a common Republican slur: referring to the “Democrat Party” instead of the “Democratic Party”.