[Vision2020] Fwd: MCA Debates

[Tom Trail]

>>Visionaries:   There has been a great deal of discussion concerning the

   MCA debates.  This is my reply to Bruce Livingston.

>>
>>Bruce--It has been an trying time I believe for everyone involved in trying
>>to work out arrangements for the MCA debates.  We have the greatest respect
>>for MCA and it's goals.  However, it is the only organizing group 
>>with a specific political agenda.  MCA's charter clearly states 
>>that one of the
>>organizations goals is to sponsor and endorse candidates.  All of the other
>>organizers of the other 15 other debates are non-political.
>>
>>Even the Presidential Debates are organized by non-political 
>>organizations with
>>no political aims unlike MCA.  The Moscow League of Women Voters is a good
>>example.  Even with a non-political sponsor, the last Presidential debates
>>took considerable time and at least 30 pages of agreed upon protocol.  So one
>>of our concerns was the "political" nature of MCA.  We recommended that
>>Nathan Alford and the Daily News serve as the organizing sponsor of 
>>the It is my understanding that Mr. Alford and the Daily News 
>>accepted.
>>This would have met our criterion of a truly "independent" 
>>sponsoring organization.  However, the criticism from MCA was that 
>>Mr. Alfred and the
>>Daily News was "too independent."    I talked with Nancy Chaney, a 
>>MCA member over a week ago, and she said having Mr. Alford and the 
>>Daily News handlethe debate sounded like a good idea to her.
>>
>>The situation became complicated with MCA President Lois Blackburn questioned
>>the integrity of Jeff Harkins and the Moscow Lions Club for 
>>sponsoring two debates.  Jeff specifically asked Mark Boehen of the 
>>Moscow Lions Club to serveas the moderator to avoid any possible 
>>conflict that might have been perceivedas partisan.  I've been a 
>>member of the Moscow Rotary Club for 30 years and all
>>of our service clubs are non-partisan.   Ms. Blackburn's response 
>>further mudded the waters.  Mr. Harkins integrity was questioned, 
>>and he has been
>>threatened that he would lose votes if he didn't participate. I've also
>>received several similar phone calls.  The last caller simply said, "If you
>>don't participate, we'll get you."  I will not be participating in the debate
>>because of the reasons outlined above, and with threats of punishment for not
>>attending.  Mr. Bennett will also not be attending.
>>
>>The entire affair has not been well managed and we have been unable to agree
>>upon the protocols which would allow us to participate in the debate.  Rules
>>for debate format orginally conveyed to GOP candidates were 
>>changed.  Exclusion of unopposed candidates was also not acceptable 
>>since they as elected officialsaddress the same issues as 
>>candidates with opposition.  I hope we have learned a lesson from 
>>this experience.  Both Mr. Harkins and

   I have continued to get harassing phone calls.

>>
>>Rep. Tom Trail

-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail at moscow.com