A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, Part I: Lessons learned
May 5th, 2008, 3:23 pm · Post a Comment · posted by madisontaylor
“We’ll tweak this in the fall,” I said as I approached Brent Lancaster and Bob Boyer immediately after the candidates’ forum Tuesday night at the Paramount Theater. It was my first forum since I returned to the Times-News. Lots of things went as expected. A few didn’t. That’s how it goes.
—
“We’ll tweak this in the fall,” I said again to Brent and Bob who represented the Times-News as the questioners during the forum, John Brockwell of WPCM was moderator. All did an excellent job.
—
Still, when I said “We’ll tweak this in the fall,” a third time Brent had to laugh out loud. Some gaffes were obvious.
—
Yes, this event was a good learning experience and dry run for the much more complicated fall election ahead when we plan to have forums on several races. But on Tuesday the Times-News, with WPCM radio, played host to a relatively simple session of the Democratic and Republican candidates for the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. Four and eight people respectively are running for three available seats on May 6 — the only local primary race. Also featured was a mini-debate on the Graham liquor by the drink issue, which will go before that city’s voters on May 6.
—
Let me just say first that David Waggoner, who represented the pro LBD debate and Graham City Councilman Jim Albright who spoke for the anti forces, acquitted themselves exceptionally well, were knowledgeable without being strident and made their points with eloquence, diplomacy and humor.
—
All of this begs the question, why aren’t these guys on a ballot themselves this year? I have an idea for a race that could use the help. More on that later.
—
Anyway, by most accounts the night was a success. The people at WPCM were great to work with as were Dave Wright and all the folks at the Paramount. It’s the perfect venue for this kind of forum and the crowd of about 100 seemed to appreciate it. The turnout was positive and those who attended likely walked away with a good idea of what the candidates are about. The free-flowing format favored by John kept the talk more lively.
—
Here are a few things we learned:
—
1. Forums on three races/issues are perhaps too many in one night — especially with eight candidates in one race. Even though one GOP hopeful, Patricia Pickell, could not attend due to a prior commitment, the Republican candidates still got fewer questions than the Democrats. And we allowed about 20 more minutes for the GOP.
—
2. The town hall format in which those in attendance were allowed to come down and ask a question was a good addition. It might be best, however, to have the questioners write their queries beforehand so the idea could be harnessed and the questions move more quickly and smoothly. On a couple of occasions it was difficult to determine what the question actually was.
—
3. Those running for other political offices should not be allowed to ask questions — or if they are a time limit would be imposed. Both candidates for state House 64 — incumbent Republican Cary Allred and Democratic Challenger Henry Vines posted questions. Allred’s to the Democrats checked in at more than 3 minutes and featured a good chunk of politicking disguised as explanation. The Democrats, in fact, never really got an actual question at all about the tax proposal Allred’s talked about for months — he just kind of petered out. Vines had an actual question on land use planning but it’s hard to know if he only posed it because rhetorically he and Allred seem to be joined at the hip until their election is over in November. If one speaks, the other has to chime in, too.
—
There are too many miles to go in that House campaign for this much talk between the candidates. Just imagine how sick voters could become of Allred and Vines by November. And even though the newspaper company that owns the Times News usually refrains from endorsing any political candidates we might be tempted to break rank in this case.
—
Can you endorse None of the Above?
—
Check back later for a look at last night’s winners and losers.
