Urge debate duckers to participate in democracy

It isn’t just Gov. Bill Richardson who is ducking debates.

As reported in the Albuquerque Journal today, U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., has accused Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid of avoiding televised debates – which Madrid has done – but Wilson has also declined two non-televised debates with Madrid.

Though U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., participated in one, mid-day debate with Democratic challenger Al Kissling, he has declined any other debates, including an upcoming offer from an Albuquerque television station.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., has agreed to one upcoming televised debate and not yet responded to a challenge from Republican Allen McCulloch for several more. Bingaman has never been one to shy away from debates. Kudos to him for agreeing to the televised debate.

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., is also expected to agree to a televised debate with Republican challenger Ron Dolin, the Journal reported.

That leaves Richardson, Madrid, Wilson and Pearce as the duckers of televised debates.

If there isn’t a gubernatorial debate this cycle, it would be the first time in recent history.

“We’re having debates about debates, rather than issues,” Allan Lerner of Albuquerque’s Congregation Albert synagogue told the Journal. His center was to be the site of an Oct. 15 debate between Richardson and Dendahl that now appears to be dead because Richardson doesn’t want it televised and Dendahl insists that it be broadcast.

“The voters deserve the chance to see the governor and his opponent in a public debate,” Lerner told the Journal.

Richardson has declined two other televised debates with Dendahl. Madrid has declined three televised debates, but recently took part in an untelevised debate with Wilson that was recorded by blogger Mario Burgos, who posted the video on his Web site. Madrid’s campaign later posted video of the debate on its site.

A recorded version of that debate was broadcast on the radio.

That was the case with the Pearce/Kissling debate on Aug. 22. Pearce insisted it be held during the day on a weekday, ensuring no live television coverage. It was recorded by KRWG-TV and radio. The PBS affiliate’s radio station later broadcast audio of the debate, but the television station has not broadcast video of the debate.

In the 21^st Century, it is unreasonable for candidates to insist that debates not be televised or, as Pearce did, only agree to a debate that is less likely to be televised because of the time it’s held.

I’ve requested that KRWG share the video of the Pearce/Kissling debate with me so I can publish it on this site, but have not received an answer. You can click here to listen to the audio recording of the debate.

If you, like me, think there should be more televised debates, you can contact the campaigns of the duckers:

Richardson: (505) 828-2455 or info@billrichardson2006.com

Pearce: (505) 523-4906 or campaign@pearceforcongress.com

Madrid: (505) 242-6000 or madrid@madridforcongress.com

Wilson: Click here