I recently signed a petition, put together by the Clinton Campaign, in favor of having a pair of Democratic debates in the state of Oregon. It would be the first (and probably last) time Oregon would have an opportunity to host a major national debate. This is an exciting prospect. Having local issues discussed nationally would be a great opportunity for our little corner of the Pacific Northwest.
While that sounded appealing at the time, I am now having second thoughts. Upon receiving an e-mailed “thank you” for participating in the petition from the local Clinton campaign, I promptly replied with some of my own thoughts:
“If Oregon is going to have a debate, it needs to rise above (WAY ABOVE) the standards of the last debate. This can not be about “gotcha issues” and it is time to get back to the real problems facing America like Iraq, NAFTA, home foreclosures, corporate welfare and gas prices.”
No response as of yet… Not that I am expecting one.
It is no wonder that Obama has not responded in the positive to additional debates. Not only was the Philadelphia debate tangibly one-sided, but it was the 21st Democratic debate of this campaign. Additionally, Clinton is behind in fundraising and debates are a source of free publicity. I am sure it is in Obama’s best interest to let Clinton sweat the next couple of states without free network television face time.
Who knows, Oregon is a long way from Indiana and North Carolina. Obama may come around in the next couple of weeks and agree to another face-off with Hillary. If he does, and they do debate, I hope it is less of a debacle than the last one.
Erik R. Bishoff
University student