Memphis mayoral candidate and pro wrestler Jerry Lawler put WREG-TV Channel 3 and The Commercial Appeal on notice this afternoon with a hand-delivered letter threatening legal action unless he's allowed to join a mayoral debate on Saturday.
Lawler, who doesn't agree with the selection process or the four candidates asked to participate, showed up at the Channel 3 and CA offices today with his attorney and delivered the letter threatening injunctive relief to stop the debate unless he's allowed in.
"We feel this is sending a message to the voters that certain candidates don't have a chance to win," Lawler said. "That hurts my campaign especially."
Lawler arrived in a black Cadillac and was egged on by a crowd of trailing supporters waving campaign signs - "Let's body slam the corrupt political system! Jerry Lawler is the man!" yelled supporter Doug Martin, 50, owner of Graceland Press, an Elvis Presley fan publication.
The debate will feature the top-four performing candidates based on the results of a recent Channel 3-CA poll. Those candidates include Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton, former City Councilwoman Carol Chumney, Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery and attorney Charles Carpenter.
In a letter to the CA and Channel 3, Lawler's attorney, Christine Stephens of Apperson, Crump & Maxwell, PLC, said Lawler's exclusion may be in violation of the Federal Communications Act because despite the "seriousness of Mr. Lawler's candidacy" the station and newspaper "unilaterally and capriciously decided to exclude him from the Debate."
In response to Lawler, Channel 3 issued a statement saying the debate will proceed Saturday as planned.
"It is not practical to include all the candidates," reads the statement released by Channel 3. "Candidates were selected based on the results of an independent poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc., the premier pollster for state and local elections in the country. The poll was scientific and was conducted by standard, accepted methodology."
Oh, boo-hoo. It's their debate and they can invite anybody they want.
Who is to say that by his appearing on the debate that he would not sway voters, and become one of the top 4 candidates? The media should not participate in the selection of candidates, as is occurring in this instance.
I'd like to see Lawler debate Leo Agowhat.
I do not want Lawler as mayor, but I think that this is total BS, and I'd be fighting it, too, if it was me. The poster "CM" above has it right - the media should not be exercising this kind of power in the political process. Even thought it's a "private event" put on by Ch3, their weight as a media outlet is going to shape political opinions across the city.
While I understand the practicality of limiting the candidates in a television debate, taking this course of action is antithetical to the democratic process. They should at least allow the excluded candidates separate on-air time to answer the questions that are asked in the public debate.
I don't blame Lawler a bit.
just what we want in our next mayor: a litigious crybaby.
The commenter "pay attention" is ignorant. WREG is a Federally licensed broadcaster and that places very clear obligations on them. Their statement, quoted above, is a lot of hooey. See my comment on the previous Lawler post for more explanation.
Good god, are those 4 1/2" or 5" heels she's got on?
Clearly, Lawler is a threat to rid this city of its corruption and status quo. Why is he being silenced by the media?? Hmm... SHAME on WREG!
whether they're 4 1/2" or 5", she wrote an excellent legal letter. lawler made a great decision to hire christine.
I think he's being a crybaby. Ch. 3 is paying for it, and therefore has the right to broadcast anything they want. He can pay for an ad if he wants to be on tv that badly.
I'm sick and tired of everyone suing everyone every time they don't get their way. Grow up already.
It's rather ridiculous to allow all candidates to come to the "debate." Only the top 4 or 5 should be there and that doesn't include Lawler.
If they are forced to invite all of them, I hope the top ones do not show, including A C, the one who will win big regardless.
The margin of error was 5%. Between Carpenter, Lawler, Whalum, & Halbert...there's NO WAY to ACCURATELY know who came in fourth. The poll is flawed, WREG - ADMIT it.
Ridiculous. Memphis deserves everything it gets. Run by corruption and the media just pats it on the back.
Glad I live in DeSoto County.
@hollihan: I've decided to respond to your rude post.
Do federal rules apply to state and local elections? In terms of ad sales, yes. A news program (i.e., the so-called debate) is different.
http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/tags/do-fcc-political-rules-apply-t/
http://www.dwt.com/LearningCenter/portalresource/12-07_PoliticalBroadcasting(Guide)
(pay particular attention to the top of page 5)
The poll was fine. Mason-Dixon is among the most respected polling firms in the business and their polling methodology here is completely sound. WREG's selection criteria for the debate is not, though. The difference between Lawler and Carpenter is within in the margin of error. WREG should let Lawler, Halbert, Whalum, and Mongo into the debate.
I was a fan of Jerry Lawler until his lovely stunt today which got me a writeup and almost fired from my job. What can I be talking about you wonder? Let's see! Turn on your radio. Everyone is talking about it. It is the topic on everyone's mind. Because Jerry's stunt on I-240 YESTERDAY morning 10-15-2009 made everyone late to work setting in traffic for an hour or more so he could do his last moment of begging for votes. Guess what all that did was tick people off where they almost lost their job. My uncle did loose his job. I almost lost my job. And my work does not play when it comes to tardiness. We are a company that runs on perfection. Something you know nothing about or you would have considered everyone's feelings this morning at 7-9 when were out making everyone late. So our question is how are your going to make it up if you even care. Wrestlers would make it up. Men would make it up. Are you either? You are definitely not a KING. We looked up to you and you almost costed me my job. My son looked up to you and he is disabled and loves wrestling. Got his Make A Wish and depends on me. How could you? You are a monster in my eyes and the eyes of several others I know. THANKS FOR FINALLY SHOWING US YOUR TRUE COLORS. YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT YOURSELF AND NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE. LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE PUT EVERYONE IN SHELBY COUNTY AND DESOTO COUNTY THROUGH. ALMOST COSTING US OUR JOBS AND HAVE WE HEARD ANYTHING FROM YOU YET OR SEEN WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. NOPE. A MAN WOULD STAND UP AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR YOUR STUNT YESTERDAY. YOU WILL NEVER GET MY VOTE OR ANYONE WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS, ETC. DO YOU SEE HOW THIS IS GOING? YOU MESSED WITH PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR CHILDREN AND DISABLED CHILDREN AT THAT BUT DO YOU CARE...WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU WERE OUT DOING YOUR CAMPAIGNING? NO. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I THINK ABOUT EVERYDAY. IS MY SON GOING TO SEE HIS NEXT BIRTHDAY WITHOUT A SURGERY? IS THIS SURGERY GOING TO BE THE ONE TO KEEP HIS BRAIN FUNCTIONING? WILL THE BRACES LAST LONG ENOUGH? HOW AM I GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BILL TO THE HOSPITAL? HOW CAN I PAY FOR THIS SURGERY? HOW CAN I PAY FOR THESE BRACES? WILL HE EVER KNOW HOW MUCH OF A BLESSING HE IS TO US? JERRY, NO MATTER HOW RICH SOMEONE IS. ONCE YOU HAVE A DISABLED CHILD, THEY FEEL YOUR HEART WITH MORE LOVE THAN MONEY WILL EVER FILL AND I MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO PAY OFF THE BILLS OR SURGERIES, BUT MY SON WILL ALWAYS BE A BETTER MAN THAN YOU FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE BECAUSE HE HAS A SOUL AND HE HAS ALREADY SEEN GOD AND THE ANGELS. HE IS MY HERO AND JOHN CENA AND SHAWN MICHAELS TAUGHT HIM TO WALK AGAIN BY THE TELEVISION. YOU ARE A MONSTER AND ALMOST COSTED ME TO LOOSE MY JOB AND PUT IT WHERE I COULD NOT SUPPORT MY CHILDREN. HOW DARE YOU!!!