Beverly Perdue Declines Triad Debate

In democratic societies, it is widely accepted that there must be public debating to maintain freedom.

June 21, 2008

TRIAD NC NEWS -- NC Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue has once again declined another debate invitation, this time in the North Carolina Triad. On June 17, 2008, the Winston Salem Jaycees invited both Perdue and Pat McCrory for a Town Hall Meeting in Winston-Salem in order to give local citizens an opportunity to hear from both gubernatorial candidates in a public forum debate. The offer is open for anytime during August and September, yet even with a sixty-day window of opportunity Beverly Perdue still declines to attend.

Ben Marsh, 2008 President of the Winston-Salem Jaycees said: "We are open to dates in early August or late September to accommodate the debates already set by the campaigns. Once we get a commitment from both candidates, we will facilitate the event but for now it is in the hands of the candidates."

Ben Marsh further stressed, "The Triad has been completely ignored in the debate schedule for the candidates and we are thrilled to see the opportunity to invite both candidates to our area. We are a large media market and Forsyth and Guilford counties are generally believed to be 2 of the counties needed to win the governorship."

In democratic societies, it is widely accepted that there must be public debating to maintain freedom. Open public debate is one format in which voters acquaint themselves with each candidate for public office. Plausibly, voters must be informed on a candidate's issues in order to make a rational choice. Moreover, during debates the general public is afforded the opportunity to compare the candidates alternative points of view.

On June 19, 2008, the President of the Winston-Salem Jaycees, sadly released the following statement concerning the Lieutenant Governor's refusal to participate in the Winston-Salem public forum debate:

"Of course, we are disappointed that there will not be a chance for Triad residents to see the candidates in person. We were hopeful that this was service that we could provide to the community. If the Perdue camp changes their mind, we will still be willing to plan the event."

The Winston Salem Jaycees are not an inconsequential organization. Representing the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) in the Triad area of North Carolina, and is one of 23 chapters in North Carolina. For more than 75 years, Winston Salem Jaycees have been recruiting and training leaders by providing innovative opportunities in a fun atmosphere. Both men and women 21 through 40 years of age have joined the Jaycees to gain the best opportunity to develop personal, business and leadership skills through community service and organizational involvement. The United States Jaycees are located in 45 states with North Carolina being one of the more active states. Nationwide Jaycee projects include:

• Outstanding Young Farmer
• Ten Outstanding Young Americans
• Family Talk
• American Cancer Society - Relay for Life
• Citizens Corp.
• Support Our Troops License Plate Project

The Jaycees represent a core element of our country's future leadership, and it is needless to say that an offer to participate in a Jaycee-sponsored debate is undoubtable a prestigious honor.

Concluding, Triad area voters agree with Ben Marsh's statement and are disappointed that the Triad is being ignored during the debate schedule. So in closing, I will leave you these thoughts. Nonparticipation in debate by any political candidate can only be considered an egregious insult to our intelligence. Does Beverly Perdue really believe that conducting open debate is a waste of time? Does she really believe her principles cannot be fathomed by the general populace? And why would a member of the Democratic Party, which defines itself as the party of responsible leadership, refuse to share their objective goals for North Carolina in debate. These questions and more remain unanswered while Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue is reluctant to debate McCrory statewide.