Organizers of a mayoral forum on education issues scheduled this afternoon are fuming after City Council Speaker Christine Quinn pulled out at the last minute�allegedly, they charge, because she was worried she�d be subjected to attacks, Jill Colvin reports. Mr. Weiner has confirmed he’ll be joining his rivals at the table.

�Update: Christine Quinn Drops Out; Her Campaign Says it Does Not Want to do a Debate on Education,� the group said in a press release sent to reporters Monday. “In Quinn’s absence, Weiner and other candidates will be able to rebut her public positions on key education issues.”

�It�s unfortunate that Chris Quinn decided to back out of this important education debate at the last minute after agreeing to participate weeks ago,� Mr. Easton, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement. �Her campaign told us over Memorial Day weekend it doesn�t want to do a debate, yet Quinn herself has repeatedly said in public she will put her record up against anyone else�s in the mayoral race. Quinn is running away from an opportunity to defend her record on education. It�s a big mistake.�

According to Politicker, Quinn campaign spokesman Mike Morey rejected organizers� debate-ducking argument.

�The organizers were informed last week we would not be able to make this one work,� Mr. Morey said in a statement. �We have never said to them or anyone else we would not debate education issues, in fact we�ve participated in two education debates this month alone, on top of a total of 44 debates and forums during the course of the campaign.�

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)