EDITORIAL: In the 52nd, let's have some debates

By: | Inside NoVA
Published: June 30, 2009

Let the debating begin.

Rafael Lopez, the GOP candidate for the 52nd District seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates, has challenged Democratic contender Luke Torian to 10 debates leading up to the Nov. 3 elections.

We urge Torian to accept that challenge, and we urge both candidates to stick to it.

Debate in this country has become a facsimile of its former self. Who amongst us has not felt the frustration of the presidential election’s supposed “debates,” which were actually little more than
opportunities for the candidates to spout talking points?

On the local level, while there are debates from time to time, there are not nearly enough. Mostly we learn about candidates from their Web sites, mailings and from newspaper articles. But while that
gives a good foundation for starting to understand a candidate, it is just that: a foundation.

Debates, real debates, where the candidates are able to challenge each other’s assertions and give rebuttals to their opponent’s views — to his or her face — are where one gets a feel for a candidate’s
character.

Danny Friedman, Torian’s campaign manager, hasn’t said whether or not Torian will take the challenge. In an e-mail, he said this: “As we did in the primary, we will attend events and forums as they are
scheduled by the community organizations that host them.”

But we want more. We want the candidates to take it upon themselves to ensure that the people get an opportunity to hear the candidates compete in an open forum where spontaneity is a possibility.

We know that in this micromanaged day and age, the prospect of spontaneity is a frightening ones, but we assure the candidates that the voting public is tired of voting for stage-managed robots.

Let’s see some flesh-and-blood candidates. Let’s see 10 debates.