With the election cycle in full swing in Guam, this blogger
felt the need to discuss the need to have a Gubernatorial Debate.
The debate allows discourse on the major
issues of the day. Interaction between the two candidates for the Governor of a
U.S. Territory or a State for that matter allows the electorate a glimpse into
who the man or woman that is seeking the support to be their respective
government's Chief Executive. But the
debate cannot and should not be done for the sake of doing them and allowing a
stage that does not dignify the respective office.
From Maryland to Ohio, this specific form of
political speech is being played out in many a different forum. As incubators of
democracy the Governor's Office is won or lost by what is said at these events.
Years ago, a Texas politico described debates the best as a place where the
ordinary voter can watch and witness their candidates answer questions that are
well-thought-out with minimal opportunities for spin. Oh, how much changes with
the years and candidates for public office.
While I missed seeing the first gubernatorial debate for the
Office of the Governor of Guam in person, I must give technology
props-specifically a You Tube video-that gave me a front row seat to the
fireworks at the Rotary of Club of Guam's version of the debate held earlier
today. Watching for the first time or seeing it multiple times via my favorite
Facebook Friends, it was clear that both came ready for a brawl in front of a
crowd that espouses "Service Above Self".
I was a bit taken back that both candidates
did not recognize their audience and held to hard line political themes that
would be better suited in the Great Debate hosted a week before the election by
the University of Guam. From an appearance standpoint, both looked very
relaxed. But as the barbs were traded from the start, the body language and
facial expression told an entirely different story. They really didn't look at
each other in the eye and at times looked angrily at the other. There was a look of indifference that each
shared with one another and their "spin" was pretty poor for the
first time out of the blocks this election season. The moderator and timer had completely lost
control of the debate. Questions were
answered-but not without plenty of political gamesmanship. In fact, I think the two struggled to answer the
questions explicitly.
While I thought
the former Governor and the incumbent Governor could have been a bit more
focused on the issues of the day, both seemed intent on trying to crush each
other's integrity from the onset. The
informality did not help much and led to more candor reflecting the rhetoric
being shared from village to village, from pocket meeting to pocket meeting, to
strategy meetings with their respective Party faithful.
With more of these
interactions to come, my advice to both parties-GET YOUR CANDIDATE UNDER
CONTROL!
This election cycle is turning into one of the most pivotal in four
decades. Many eyes are watching this
theatre and are hoping that the best man to lead Guam over the next four years
is chosen with a mandate of votes-more than a 487 vote margin. Many a decision
in the voting booth starts and ends with what the electorate sees in the gubernatorial
debates and forums.
So do we need debates?
You decide.