This discussion is silly. I like and support candidate forums in
principle, although I sometimes doubt that they sway many votes. On the
other hand, such forums need to be organized with care. It is bad planning
to organize a forum with no attention to candidates schedules, and then
expect candidates to adjust and attend. It doesn't matter what the reason
is, a candidate always has the right to keep prior commitments and not
attend the forum. Voters have the right to evaluate non-attendance however
they wish. Forum organizers, as supposed neutrals in the races, have the
obligation to stay neutral. Tom's right, the schedule can get pretty hairy
near the end of a campaign, and the candidates have to make judgements about
how to effectively make use of limited time.
What I find most silly about this discussion is that there is a real
forum going on right here under our noses and Tom is participating in it,
but the questions being asked are innane. Why waste time arguing about what
Tom's reasons were for not participating in the KUOI forum? Keep in mind
that this Vision 2020 forum probably reaches as many real voters as any KUOI
candidate program. Why not ask Tom what he stands for as a candidate? (I'm
asking you Tom.) What does Tom stand for that's different from his
opponent? Believe it or not, there are some real issues in this election.
I'm delighted that Tom is participating in the Vision 2020
discussion list. I'm delighted that Sam Scripter seems to be about to join
us. I'd like to hear about issues from both of them, and I'd like to have
other candidates join in. In the spirit of the Vision 2020 list, I'd like
to see the discussion focus on local government and local planning issues
that pertain to the Palouse. I sincerely hope that if either Tom or Sam get
elected, that they continue to actively participate in the Vision 2020 list.
Can you imagine actually having a senator or representative in Boise that
you could engage in open discussion about real legislative issues?
We've got the beginnings of a real candidates forum here. Lets make
it work.
Joel Hamilton
Ag Economics, U of Idaho, and
China Agricultural University
Winrock - Lead 21 Program
Beijing