Those who attended the Labor Day political stump speeches in Buena Vista on Monday got to see a spirited exchange of views between Republican Sixth District Congressman Ben Cline and his Democratic challenger, bestselling author and former Roanoke Times reporter Beth Macy.
It’s likely the closest we’ll get to seeing a debate between these political adversaries. Their campaigns have been having a debate over what constitutes a debate and whether their candidates will participate. We’ve been among the recipients of dueling press releases issued by each campaign.
On Aug. 17, Macy’s campaign issued a press release challenging Cline to three debates, with the dates, venues and rules of engagement to be determined through discussions between the campaigns. A week later, on Aug. 24, Cline issued a press release saying he had accepted invitations to make three joint appearances with Macy before the Small Business Alliance in Frederick County, the Salem Rotary Club and the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.
Macy issued a press release the next day, Aug. 25, in which her campaign characterized Cline’s proposed unilateral debate schedule as “phony,” not actual debates, that amounted to a “chicken-you-know what” response. “I look forward,” she said, “to working with the Cline team on actually scheduling real debates, in good faith. Rep. Cline doesn’t get to make the rules.”
Cline followed with another press release later the same day, Aug. 25, in which his campaign accused Macy of having “smeared” the service clubs and their events by labeling them as “phony.” Cline said, “It is unfortunate that my opponent thinks these groups are not legitimate organizations or capable of successfully sponsoring important events to inform their respective communities. … I hope my opponent reconsiders her poor treatment of our community leaders and accepts their invitations to engage in meaningful conversations with voters about the issues that matter to them.”
Macy obviously didn’t intend to disparage the organizations that were to hold the forums. She did, undoubtedly, intend to criticize Cline for his avoidance of engaging in a genuine debate, rather than just agreeing to joint appearances.
Cline’s position is, however, understandable. He is a threeterm Republican incumbent seeking to be reelected in a solidly Republican district. He doesn’t have much to gain by taking part in multiple debates in which candidates are subjected to questions by an impartial moderator not associated with either campaign.
However, our hope is that Cline does agree to take part in at least one genuine debate in which a standard format would be used that is agreeable to both campaigns. The voters would certainly benefit.
If such a debate doesn’t transpire, we can at least be grateful that Buena Vista’s Labor Day festival did live up to its tradition of providing a spirited opening to this fall campaign. Voters did get to see both candidates engage in a lively exchange.
REPUBLICAN Congressman Ben Cline looks out over the audience from the stage during the political stump speeches at Glen Maury Park on Monday. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
