Candidates decline Nick kids

For the first time since 1992, the presidential candidates will not appear to answer children’s questions on Nickelodeon’s “Nick’s Kids Pick the President” election special, airing Sunday. Linda Ellerbee, the show’s producer, said Friday that the Bush campaign had rejected her requests since June, saying the president didn’t have the time. Kerry’s representatives turned her down Tuesday, citing scheduling conflicts.

“I regret their decisions,” Ellerbee said. “I think indirectly, it does send a message to kids: ‘You know you’re really not important for us to talk to.’ ”

In the last three presidential campaigns, the candidates have appeared on the top-rated children’s TV channel to answer pre-taped questions from youngsters ages 6 to 14. On Oct. 19, Nickelodeon viewers will hold a mock election, voting on the Internet site nick.com.

In the last mock election, 400,000 children voted, choosing Bush over Al Gore. Bush participated in 2000 when he was not the incumbent. “He was terrific,” Ellerbee said. President Clinton was also busy in 1996, she said, but he agreed to tape his answers in the White House.

Bush also has declined to appear on MTV, which has an on-air campaign “Choose or Lose” geared to getting young people registered to vote. Kerry did appear in their studios, answering questions from young people on live video feeds. To represent the Republican candidate, MTV has used surrogates such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a spokesperson said.

Instead of the candidates, Ellerbee said she will show kids campaigning for their respective candidates.

“At first, I thought I might go on the air and burn them both,” she said, referring to the candidates. “Then I thought, our intention is to get kids involved, not to make them think their vote doesn’t count. We said, ‘Because your voice counts, we’re letting you carry the message.’ ”

“It’s a strange election,” Ellerbee said. The race has become so close, the candidates may not want to spend time appealing to anyone who can’t vote, she said.