The countdown to election day continues. Ahead of Super Tuesday, the most significant
of election discourse took place last night at the University of Guam
Fieldhouse. Started in 1994 by Public
Administration students at UOG, "The Great Debates" have afforded the
Island's electorate a chance to further understand the main policy vision of
the men and women who have run for the position of Governor of Guam. Prior to this formal debate format, candidate
plowed their trade in the scores of pocket meetings from Yigo to Umatac-all in
hopes for getting enough support to ascend to the seat as Chief Executive of
the U.S. Territory.
This election cycle is not any different than the ones in
years past. Though in recent memory,
this run for Adelup has been filled with more earned media bashing the
integrity of the other candidate and paid media that just only now is filling
the airwaves-a sign of Guam's economic reality.
The 2014 race pits a sitting Governor versus a Two-Term
Governor. Much has changed in four years
that has now made this race about record. But you wouldn't be able to tell
that. There has now been two
"public" interactions between the two candidates for Governor. Other
efforts were not successful to engage the public interaction between Guam's political
party candidates. Press releases and
terse statements have filled local media in-boxes and fax machines that are
filled with more political rhetoric than ever before. Yet, in four days the electorate is being
asked to make a decision on our political landscape for the next four years.
Is this acceptable to you and me as a member of the
electorate and tax-paying citizens of this great Island?
The short answer is no. Something
needs to change and quickly.
Public policy discussions on "pocket book" issues
related to minimum wage, increasing commodities pricing and job creation were
not showcased. The candidates for
Governor did not articulate their plan to grow our isolated American economy
over the next four years. The two shared
little of their respective vision on federal policy, improving the state of
healthcare, addressing the growing crime rate and position on growing a modern
education system in Micronesia. The chance for the candidates to bring these
and other important matters of our citizenry to the fold last night came out
flat. The students questions were
engaging and important to undecided voters who seem to have been able to now
decide on which camp to vote for. Both
candidates for Governor came out swinging in defense of their
"integrity". Why? After nearly two weeks of defending
"integrity", it made no sense to continue such rhetoric on Guam's biggest
political stage of the season. The tone could have been set for a lively
"debate" on the issues that matter the most to me and you. Did we all
better understand the direction of our Island over the next four years?
Guam voters are very sensitive. Guam voters have long
memories. Guam voters now have to make a choice. The time is get across their
concerns, policy plans and vision came and went. "The Great Debate" did have a winner and an loser. Both camps will
argue who did better than the other. The answer to this question will be soon
be answered. When? The election for Governor of Guam was won
following the final word and handshake. The prize will be a "Super
Tuesday" victory and an Inauguration in January 2015.