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)