Debate Chaos in Northern Nevada Leaves Voters at a Loss
Many local news organizations affiliating themselves with different partners are scrambling to organize their own debates.
There’s very little information among them though about who is organizing what, where and when, and for which races. The candidates themselves go back and forth as to which debate they want to take part in, and which debate request they ignore.
During the primaries, we mentioned a debate which was taking place, to give it extra promotion, but then we were corrected. It was just a “forum,” we were told, whereby candidates didn’t confront each other, making it much less interesting for many would-be voters. We can read talking points on candidate websites. Confrontation can bring out differences and stark realities.
Why can’t we have old school debates where all local media are invited to join and candidates running for such and such an election actually confront each other, offering their nuanced positions, so local voters may hear from them directly in the unscripted moment, rather than relying on what they’ve been told by others or general preconceptions?
If a candidate boycotts, then let the other candidate(s) take part and face grilling from local media and political pundits, not just softballs teed up for more boilerplate vapid and vague “we need more affordable housing” type of obvious statements.
How would you suggest media or different organizations get their act together and combine to coordinate a series of credible debates which would be of value to local voters?
Our Reporting Highlights This Week
Our Last Motels Standing series went to the Midtown Motel (above in photo as well).
Our Keep Reno Rad series highlighted a new mural on Keystone Ave.
My suggestion: conduct the debates anywhere, anytime, as long as you make an audio recording of them. Make podcast episodes out of each debate. Not all podcasts have to release episodes regularly or often. See the Sagebrush Wire podcast for an example.