Dem Owens And GOPer Scozzafava Debate In NY-23, Conservative Hoffman Skips It

The candidates met last night for a debate in the NY-23 special election -- two of the candidates anyway. Only Democrat Bill Owens and Republican Dede Scozzafava were there for the public radio debate, with Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman skipping the event.

Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan told the Plattsburgh Press Republican that the radio station's involvement was the reason for the refusal: "North Country Public Radio is the perfect venue to decide who is the most liberal candidate in the race."

At the beginning of the debate (audio here), the moderator said that multiple invitations were extended to Hoffman, and that as far as they knew he would have been available.

All three candidates, however, are meeting today for one debate, hosted by the local ABC affiliate. The debate is being taped at 2:30 p.m., and will be broadcast and streamed online at 7 p.m.