Richardson to blame for debate falling through

There may not be a gubernatorial debate this year after all because Gov. Bill Richardson doesn’t want a lot of people seeing it.

Richardson had tentatively agreed Monday to one debate at Congregation Albert in Albuquerque on Oct. 15, but insisted that the debate not be televised. When his Republican opponent, John Dendahl, wouldn’t budge on the television issue, the debate fell through.

Richardson’s campaign manager, according to the Albuquerque Tribune, said Dendahl would launch negative attacks rather than focusing on the issues, and said such attacks would be a disservice to viewers.

“The governor debating at the U.N. or with a world leader for the release of a hostage is different from somebody who had made it clear that his intent is negative attacks that bring down the state,” said Richardson campaign manager Amanda Cooper.

Richardson agreed to several televised debates against Republican John Sanchez in 2002. This year, two Albuquerque television stations have offered to host televised debates, and Dendahl has agreed to both.

The reality is that “the state” benefits from debates viewed by its voters, no matter what Cooper says. Debates, even those that include negative attacks, are a healthy part of any democracy.

President Bush and Republican leaders in Washington have often discouraged debate on Iraq and terrorism. Richardson is doing the same here, though I suspect he would decry Bush for doing it.

It’s Richardson’s presidential hopes that would be affected by a televised debate. Negative attacks could hurt Richardson’s chances of reaching the so-called magic 60 percent of the vote in November that he would use to claim overwhelming support in New Mexico.

Unless Richardson budges on the television issue, it’s likely that there won’t be any debates. Blogger Mario Burgos recently took amateur video of the debate between U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. and her challenger, Democrat Patricia Madrid, after Madrid refused to allow the debate to be televised, and posted it on his Web site.

Richardson’s people realize this. If they don’t want video of a debate to exist, in the 21^st century, they can’t have a debate.

They’re looking to blame Dendahl. Their argument is bogus. Don’t buy it.