Dear Group, There was political calculation in scheduling a series of four “debates” between Lisa Brown and McMorris Rodgers, a calculation not transparent to us. Before we go any further, mark the dates on your calendar, September 19, October 17, and 18 in Spokane and October 24 in Walla Walla. McMorris Rodgers has declined a gold-plated, time-flexible invitation from a traditional debate host coalition of Gonzaga Law School, the League of Women Voters, and KXLY. According to the Spokesman article: “The groups sponsored a nationally televised debate between George Nethercutt and Rep. Tom Foley in 1994, a few weeks before Nethercutt’s historic upset, and again in 2004 when Nethercutt ran against Sen. Patty Murray for her seat.” The excuse offered, according to the Spokesman, was “the congresswoman couldn’t neglect her duties in Washington, D.C., to campaign.” McMorris Rodgers will be camped out in eastern Washington for four and a half weeks between now and the general election. There is plenty of time already scheduled away from “her duties in Washington, D.C.” Is she concerned this fall is starting to look like 1994? Perhaps McMorris Rodgers’ election handlers have concluded the format of the Gonzaga/LWV debate, “relying upon panelists to pepper the candidates with questions,” might put her at a disadvantage. A program inviting her to go off script is perilous. Perhaps accepting bad publicity from ducking the invitation from Gonzaga Law and the League of Women Voters seems less risky. Look at the debate hosts McMorris Rodgers did accept: Spokesman Review/KHQ on September 19th (during a full week “in district”), Greater Spokane, Inc., October 17th in Spokane, Rotary Club at noon October 18th in Spokane, and the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce October 24 (during the three and a half weeks “in district” time leading up to the election). Where’s the variety? How about a debate on a college campus or under the auspices of the Coalition of Color, two other invitations from Lisa Brown’s campaign? If those are too scary, why not the invitation from League of Women Voters, traditional debate hosts? Perhaps some letters to editors are in order. Keep to the high ground, Jerry I’ve copied and pasted below part of the Spokesman article from last August 31. Once again I note the difference between the title for the online version of the article, “Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Lisa Brown have agreed to four debates that don’t include Gonzaga/League of Women Voters event” and the paper version, “CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS AGREE ON DEBATES McMorris Rodgers, Brown to meet four times this fall.” There is a difference in shading between the author, Kip Hill, and the editor. One debate that won’t take place is a contest that has been hosted in the past by the law school, the League of Women Voters and KXLY. Stephen Sepinuck, a Gonzaga professor who helped organize previous debates in the district with those partners, said it was unfortunate the congresswoman declined their request. Brown accepted the invitation. KXLY is instead finalizing details to broadcast the Greater Spokane event on Oct. 17, said Melissa Luck, news director for the local ABC affiliate. The groups sponsored a nationally televised debate between George Nethercutt and Rep. Tom Foley in 1994, a few weeks before Nethercutt’s historic upset, and again in 2004 when Nethercutt ran against Sen. Patty Murray for her seat. “I’m sure they get a lot of requests. I have no doubt about that,” Sepinuck said. “I don’t think every request is equal.” The Gonzaga debate would not have followed the “town hall” format, Sepinuck said, instead relying upon panelists to pepper the candidates with questions. The format would have included time for follow-up questions and would have been geared more toward governing philosophy questions than strictly on policy, he said. “This is the third time these organizations have come together, and this is the first time our request has been denied,” Sepinuck said. Pamela Behring, the president of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, said they were also disappointed by the decision. The league has asked the congresswoman to appear at their own, independent events during past general elections, but those invitations haven’t been accepted. “We did ask immediately after the election results were in, and we did open it up to her preferences,” Behring said. |