It's election time, so where are the debates?

As many Minnesota candidates skip the chance to face their opponents, the voters lose

October 19, 2006
Pioneer Press
Frederick Melo

Call it the season of the no-show.

With the exception of Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad, Minnesota's congressional incumbents are refusing to debate their challengers on commercial television — ducking the most visible political forums of the election season.

That means you won't see a knock-down, drag-out fight between Rep. Betty McCollum and Obi Sium on KSTP-TV — the only station that extended an invitation to all the congressional candidates — or a grudge match between Rep. John Kline and his opponent, Coleen Rowley.

Ditto for Rep. Gil Gutknecht, Rep. James Oberstar and Rep. Collin Peterson. Offered the opportunity to go face-to-face with their challengers before a large, general audience, they all blinked.

In an unusual show of bipartisanship, all but one member of the state's congressional delegation came up with a flurry of scheduling snafus that would make it impossible for them to participate in what would be their most high-profile, face-to-face political throw-downs of the season.

"We … offered different dates, and they said, 'No, it's still a scheduling problem,' " said KSTP-TV news manager Gary Hill.

Some political observers say they're disappointed, but not surprised. From statewide races to local and legislative campaigns, sitting pols stand to gain the most by drowning their challengers in silence, cutting off their opponents' opportunities to boost name recognition.

But by doing so, critics say, they're also cutting off important political discussion and leaving undecided voters without much incentive to go to the polls.

Full article: http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/15792934.htm