Univision CEO Petitions CPD to Add Presidential Debate With Hispanic Moderator

Falco disappointed that Ramos, Elena Salinas not tapped for job

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/15/2012 12:35:20 PM

The Commission on Presidential Debates' announcement of this year's moderators earlier this week has prompted criticism from some minority groups, the latest from Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications.

In a letter sent Wednesday to CPD executive director Janet Brown, Falco expressed "disappointment on behalf of the millions of Hispanics who do not have a voice in the upcoming presidential debates as evidenced by the selected moderators."

More than 20 million U.S. Hispanics will be eligible to vote in the November elections, or 8.7% of all voters. On Monday, the Commission announced PBS' Jim Lehrer, CNN's Candy Crowley and CBS' Bob Schieffer as this year's presidential debate moderators. Crowley will be the first female moderator in 20 years.

"We strongly believe that the Commission should entertain the notion of adding an additional debate that will speak directly to this burgeoning audience so influential to the presidential dialogue and outcome in order to maximize Hispanic voter participation," Falco said in the letter.

He went on to say that Univision would be willing to host a forum for the presidential candidates to address the Hispanic audience, led by Univision anchors Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas.