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POSTING OCTOBER 16, 2007
Ducking Debates?
I originally had planned to write about the
recent candidates forum in Donegal and how I am looking forward
to more, particularly debate formats. But recently, I've learned
that it appears that there will be none. "Scheduling conflicts"
by our opponents have apparently put an end to the only
scheduled debate.
The League of Women Voters in Westmoreland
County, a respected nonpartisan voting advocacy group, had
scheduled a forum on October 25. It was my hope that this would
be an opportunity for the candidates for county commissioner to
really debate issues and qualifications. It appears now that
this will not happen because our Republican challengers can't
make it.
I know I planned on being there. I know Tom
Ceraso was scheduled to be there. I am not sure which Republican
forced the cancellation, but it really doesn't matter. Both of
them claim to have these wonderful ideas about county
government, so I can't imagine why they would want to miss an
opportunity to talk publicly about them. Whichever one of them
caused the cancellation; it is a disservice to voters.
Debates are an integral part of democracy. It is
an opportunity for voters to hear directly from the candidates,
see what they are truly about, and how they respond without a
script. It is a true test of candidates' knowledge, ideas and
personality. Debates help voters filter through the
advertisements, mailers and sound bites, and better learn about
not only the candidate, but also the person.
The League of Women Voters' debate was,
unfortunately, the only event of its kind scheduled. So as it
stands now, it does not seem like we will have any debates. I
would gladly welcome any nonpartisan group -- business
associations, chambers of commerce, civic organizations -- to
host a debate. My hope too is that they would be actual debates
-- the style where the candidates have the opportunity to ask
questions of each other, rebut one another and field questions
from the audience.
I know I'm ready to debate. Are the Republican
challengers? Let's hope for the sake of the voters some groups
step forward to sponsor events. And I suppose we can only hope
the Republicans can work it in to their schedules.
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