Southern Arizona’s leading media outlets have once again failed in their civic duty and constitutional obligation to inform the public by sponsoring a series of debates for the candidates. If they can’t profit from it, why bother?
Some smaller media outlets are stepping in to fill the void.
There are finally some CD 2 GOP primary debates scheduled. I cannot vouch for whether all three candidates will actually commit to attend the debates. I would be surprised if Southern Arizona’s leading media outlets even show up to report on the debates.
On Tuesday, July 8, The Northwest Conservatives are hosting a CD 2 Candidate Debate at Desert Sky Middle School, 9850 E. Rankin Loop in Tucson, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Talk radio personality James T. Harris of 104.1 KQTH will emcee the event. Jeff Utsch, a favorite guest on the James T. Harris Constitutional Monday radio show, will moderate the event. According to the web site, Shelley Kais and Chuck Wooten have confirmed their participation. They can debate an empty chair with Martha McSally’s name taped to it (debate tip).
On Saturday, July 26, The Green Valley Republican Club and Sahuarita Republican Club are hosting a CD 2 Candidate debate at the Quail Creek Madera Clubhouse, 2055 E Quail Crossing in Quail Creek, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. All candidates reportedly have committed to this debate, the challengers one and only opportunity to debate Martha McSally apparently. The debate will be moderated by Green Valley News Editor Dan Shearer. FROM THE EDITOR: We’ve got a date with the candidates.
At least I know Shearer will report on it in the Green Valley News.
Maybe Southern Arizona’s leading media outlets can scrounge up an unpaid intern to cover these debates. Don’t hold your breath.
UPDATE 1: The time for the debate on Saturday, July 26 ha been corrected to 2:00 p.m., per instructions from Dan Shearer.
UPDATE 2: The Northwest Conservatives debate has been cancelled on account of Martha McSally not being willing to commit to the debate — you’re shocked, I’m sure — which caused Shelly Kais to pull out, leaving only Chuck Wooten to debate himself.
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Thanks for publicizing the debates.
Kais has pulled out of the Northwest debate after McSally failed to confirm.
The debate in Quail Creek is actually at 2 p.m. July 26 (not 5 p.m.). Doors open at 1:30. There’s a possibility it will be live on radio; we’ll keep you posted.
We’re in the process of firming up the questions (sponsors are the GV News/Sahuarita Sun; GV Sahuarita Republican Club; and Quail Creek Republicans). We’re taking requests, though no guarantee your question will be asked. Email me at: dshearer@gvnews.com
Dear Dan: I have posted an entire series of “Questions for Martha McSally” for more than a year now. Not all the posts contain that caption, but feel free to use any of the material Blog for Arizona has provided here. I would love to be able to interrogate/cross-examine/depose, er, question Martha McSally on her obvious lack of depth of substantive knowledge and public policy, but of course, she will never agree to it. It’s up to you. And if all 3 candidates actually show up, you should allow them an opportunity to ask each other questions. Since McSally has arranged that this will be her one and only debate in the primary, it will be the only opportunity her opponents have, so it’s only fair.