Local GOP candidates are cancelling their debate appearances.
The public deserves better.
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| League of Women Voters of the Rogue Valley |
The abortion issue and Trump have made campaigning complicated for Republicans.
On September 13, all four candidates [for Commissioner] were invited to joint televised appearances sponsored by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, the two incumbent Republican candidates declined. On October 4, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now invited all four candidates, the two incumbent Republican candidates declined. On October 10th a joint appearance was arranged by the League of Women Voters of the Rogue Valley and last Friday I was notified by the League that the event was cancelled because it is League policy not to have an event with but one candidate present.
Densmore
Democratic State Senator Jeff Golden has a Republican opponent, Randy Sparacino. Sparacino just cancelled an October 12 joint appearance at Southern Oregon University scheduled to accommodate a date chosen by Sparacino himself. Golden said he was disappointed because it was the largest debate event for the campaign.
Golden said he hoped a live event would force candidates from all parties to give straight answers.
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| Golden |
That’s especially true in this race, where some District Three residents have been trying hard to get answers to two questions: In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, would Mr. Sparacino protect access to abortion for Oregon women? And what is his position on the Jackson County Republican Party’s declaration that the 2020 election was stolen and that Joe Biden is not the legitimate president?
Abortion and election-denial are two issues that give Republican candidates a dilemma. To be on good terms with the Republican majority a candidate needs to support a total or near-total ban on abortion. Some states where Republicans have majorities have bans so complete that even prescribing contraception is forbidden. In neighboring state Idaho the state university health clinics have stopped offering contraceptive services because the state abortion law is so comprehensive. Birth control pills, IUDs, and even condoms are forbidden to be discussed or dispensed, unless the condom is marked that it is intended only for the prevention of disease.
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| Sparacino |
Campaign advertisements are no substitute for public appearances. Mail I received yesterday is a perfect example. Oregon Right to Life supports Randy Sparacino's campaign. The organization supports a total ban on abortions, with laws like the ones enacted in Idaho. They sent me a large, glossy postcard mailer. It has a goofy looking black and white photo of Golden, a photo of a cute baby, characterizations of Golden's purported position on abortion, and a strong call to "Vote against Jeff Golden."
The ad does not reveal Sparacino's position beyond saying he opposes late-term abortions. Well, of course. I know no one who thinks late term abortions are acceptable except under tragic and extraordinary conditions. The question is, what does Sparacino support? Does he want an Idaho-style ban on abortions and contraception? Would he allow contraception that stops implantation? Would he support abortions for victims of rape? Oregon Right to Life has expectations of Republican candidates. Will he come through for them--or disappoint them?
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| In my mailbox, from Oregon Right to Life |
Same with Republican legislatures overturning elections. A Republican legislature may have the power to overrule Oregon's popular vote for president and cast those electoral votes for Trump. Trump and others urged that in 2020, and say they will again in 2024. Does that sound extreme? The GOP candidate for Oregon Secretary of State in 2018 urged that states do exactly that in the 2020 election. She remains in good standing in the Oregon senate today.
Live appearances put candidates on the spot. A sharp question forces them to come clean. It also gives them a chance to say in their own words what they think.
Voters deserve to know. That means candidates need to show up.
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8 comments:
It would appear the Republican candidates are starting their annual legislative walk-out before they’re even elected!
The majority of Republicans are firmly entrenched in the Trump cult. The closest thing the GOP currently has to a platform is: Whatever Trump says. What he recently demanded is that he be "reinstated" as the "rightful winner" of the 2020 election or that the election be re-run "immediately" because Facebook had been advised by the FBI not to trust certain stories about Biden's son, Hunter, during the 2020 campaign.
No Republican candidate is going to undermine their own election by refuting such stupid nonsense. Whether they endorse it in person or not, they do it tacitly by their silence. The same with the abortion issue.
I see the same happening in reverse-hold districts. Katie Hobbs, Fetterman, hell even Biden refused to debate for awhile.
To me this is a good sign, and I'm currently an R voter. Politicians on both sides are finding it difficult to face the people who they are supposed to represent. They were wishing for a free ride to power with some weasel words and low-confrontation gatherings with free media coverage.
Make it hurt. Liberals: get your politicians to address their cities and district shortcomings. Conservatives: pull your politicians out of 1821 Connecticut issues. Any politician of any party who can't face a debate doesn't have the spine to effectively lead.
"Politicians on both sides are finding it difficult to face the people who they are supposed to represent."
I agree with this and would add "all sides". It is a shame when candidates refuse to appear on TV and radio, participate in debates, and conduct interviews with reporters from the printed and online media. Town halls are good too.
Social media has caused a great distortion for some campaigns, and the candidate messages are harder to control.
As for who is worse - Republicans or Democrats - each person will have to judge that for themselves.
I like hearing from the horses mouth, consuming the emails, podcasts, and videos of many candidates from the various sides. It is time consuming, but preferable to listening to one's interpretation of what was said or written. I want to see the transcribed word or hear the horses mouth.
Who is worse [about participating in debates] - Republicans or Democrats?
I think Peter made it pretty clear that at least in the Rogue Valley, the problem is non-participation by Republicans.
Has Pam Marsh ever agreed to debate Sandy Abercrombie?
More importantly, it says a lot about how they will govern by not participating they implicitly say they won’t as they can not stand in front of their opponents and electors and defend their position. Sad.
At times, it seems "not governing" is bad. Sometimes it's good.
Both D's and Rs are guilty of both not governing as well as bad governing.
We need only look at the degradation of quality of life in Oregon's Portland, Bend, and Eugene's areas.
One needs to ask how major cities in other parts of the US have a higher quality of life.
There are many hard questions that remain unaddressed, not mentioned, and/or unanswered.
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