As the general election nears — it’s only seven weeks away — debates and public forums have started to take place. We applaud both the sponsors and event hosts, and especially the candidates who agree to take their messages directly to the people and answer their questions. These forums help give voters more information that they can use to make better decisions at the voting booth, decisions that benefit the entire community when they help elect the best person into office.
After all, that’s what elections are all about: hiring the people who will best serve the needs of their constituents — they’re not about advancing the careers of self-interested politicians.
Many more of these public forums should take place — and they would, if more candidates, who often exhibit plenty of boldness and bluster on scripted television and social media ads didn’t cow in fear when asked to actually face the voters.
FuturoFest, a daylong celebration of democracy that originally was slated to feature candidate face-offs for at least 12 Rio Grande alley political races, was reduced to a single debate after candidates, in some cases of from both parties, declined to participate. Candidates in two other races had agreed to attend but the Republican Party candidates in two of the races, for Texas Senate District 20 and State Board of Education District 2, both called in sick at the last minute.
The state Senate hopefuls, Republican Adam Hinojosa and Democrat Morgan LaMantia, both deserve praise for bringing their message directly to the people. They answered questions on a variety of key issues including voting, energy delivery, education, border security and others. Their willingness to answer direct questions and follow-up challenges speaks highly for both.
In this day of “fake news” and misinformation, it’s also hard to understand candidates’ refusal to bring their message directly to the people. Such refusal deprives them of the opportunity to respond to accusatory advertising presented by the their opponents.
Kudos also to Futuro RGV, which joined AIM Media Texas to organize the Sept. 17 event that was held at The Monitor offices in McAllen. Futuro RGV has created such forums for more than two decades, laudable work that has helped Valley voters make better decisions on Election Day.
We trust this year’s lack of participation won’t affect the group’s commitment to such valuable events in the future.
In fact, it’s appalling that some politicians have been able to undermine such events. Candidates who are willing to face the electors are deprived of the chance to make their case and answer voters’ questions.
If anything, Futuro RGV could consider allowing those candidates the time they would have had in the forum anyway. Voters could gain more information, clarification on issues, and see how well the candidates think on their feet and deal with direct challenges — qualities that any public officials needs.
Democracy is only as good as the quality of officials who are elected, and those officials are only as good as the information upon which those voters make their decisions.
Let those who choose not to face the voters instead face the music.
