To debate or not to debate?

Posted 8/08/2008 07:56:00 AM

Sanitized format, Tinsley’s rule-breaking characterize CD2 event, but candidates say more debates are coming

Thursday's joint appearance by Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Harry Teague and Republican opponent Ed Tinsley was so sanitized that it barely met the definition of a candidate forum, but both candidates say they will participate in additional forums and debates before the Nov. 4 election.

By many definitions, the word forum means “open discussion.” It’s a stretch to say that’s what happened at Thursday’s event in Las Cruces, which was sponsored by the Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI).

First the background: Teague isn’t the most articulate public speaker. Apparently sensing an opportunity, Tinsley has challenged Teague to debates in every county in the district. Teague hasn’t responded to Tinsley’s request, but has pointed to a July 27 forum in Mescalero, Thursday’s forum in Las Cruces and an Oct. 19 forum in Albuquerque as evidence that he isn’t afraid to appear in public with Tinsley.

While Tinsley has said he wants substantive discussion of the issues and accused Teague of ducking debates, Teague and Democrats have repeatedly hammered Tinsley for what Tinsley calls a second home but what they say is his primary residence. It’s an issue because it’s located far outside the district, in Santa Fe.

A sanitized format and some rule-breaking

In front of that backdrop, the two agreed after some back-and-forth to attend Thursday’s forum. The format: Each candidate would give a 15-minute speech. Then each would be asked one question and have two minutes to answer. The questions came from the opposing campaign, but the moderator, ACI President Beverlee McClure, asked them.

McClure said it was Tinsley who proposed the question portion of the event, while Teague proposed the speech portion.

The candidates also agreed to not even name each other during their speeches, let alone attack or directly address each other. Each violation would result in the other candidate getting an additional minute to speak.

Tinsley, who gave his speech first, had no intention of holding up his end of that agreement. Seven times during his 15-minute speech he broke that rule, and he joked about doing it. The first violation came while Tinsley was explaining his opposition to amnesty.

“Harry supports amnesty. You get another minute on that one, I think,” he told Teague.

Teague sat still through Tinsley’s speech, facing the audience instead of Tinsley. He showed little emotion.

At the end of his speech, Tinsley directly challenged Teague by asking him if he would attend five additional debates. McClure cut Tinsley off, reminding him that the candidates agreed to not ask questions of each other.

Teague, like Tinsley, used his speech to regurgitate his oft-used talking points on health care, immigration and amnesty -- topics ACI asked the candidates to address. Tinsley faced Teague while the Democrat spoke and often smiled and nodded.

One question apiece

Then came Teague’s single question for Tinsley, relayed by McClure: Tinsley’s Republican opponents in primary races for the House seat this year and in 2002 accused him of not living in the district. Teague asked: If fellow Republicans don’t think Tinsley lives in the district, why should anyone else?

“Harry, are you telling me that all with all the challenges we just talked about… you want to focus on a second home?” Tinsley asked. “I think the voters of the 2nd District deserve more.”

Tinsley said he wants to talk about issues, such as the candidates’ differing stances on the Iraq war, and said voters care “little to nothing” about his Santa Fe home.

Tinsley’s question: Teague’s Web site stated that he favored an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and the ending of funding for the war. What would Teague do if, after abandoning Iraq, it became a safe haven for terrorists?

Teague, who recently fired his campaign manager and brought in a new team, said he has “always supported the troops” and “funding for the troops.” He acknowledged that his Web site, until recently, stated otherwise about funding.

“My new team has corrected the Web site,” he said.

Teague then went on to defend his call to end the war. He listed things the $3 billion being spent each week in Iraq could instead do, including catching Osama bin Laden, building new schools and lowering gas prices.

More debates coming

Never during the event did Teague address Tinsley’s debate challenge, but afterward Teague said in a brief interview that he’s already planning to attend five additional debates “and we may do more.” A campaign staffer added that three of those debates will be televised.

One televised event will be held next week in Clovis in the 3rd District. Another will be held in October in Albuquerque in the 1st District and broadcast on Albuquerque television, which doesn’t reach Doña Ana County. The third, Teague said, will be broadcast on KRWG-TV in Las Cruces.

“Oh good,” was Tinsley’s response when told following the event that Teague had agreed to participate in five debates. Tinsley added that he thought Thursday’s event was “a great dialogue.”

You can listen to the entire ACI event from Radio of Las Cruces News by clicking here.