Richard Painter is running for senator, and he has challenged Senator Tina Smith to a debate. Senator Smith declined, stating she is too busy.
This is not about Mr. Painter or Senator Smith, this is about WE THE PEOPLE, as we’re the ones who benefit when candidates debate.
Three ways Minnesotans benefit from robust debates:
1. Debates help us learn more about the candidates. Ads, websites and newspaper articles are one-way vehicles for communicating a candidate’s position on various issues. Each candidate has complete control over his or her message. Debates, on the other hand, are a two-way discourse between the
candidates; where they challenge each other until their true stance on issues emerges.
2. Debates help candidates learn more about us. The candidates we vote into office make decisions that affect us. When we attend a debate, either in person or online, we have the opportunity through our questions, applause and post-debate discussion (again, either in person or online) to let the candidates know how we want them to vote once they get into office.
3. Debates make us more informed voters.
Voters who get all their information from social media and political ads simply are not as informed as those who attend debates. Debates put us in a better position to engage in intelligent political discourse with each other and make an informed decision when we vote; this is good for Minnesota and Minnesotans.
You have to wonder why Senator Smith has not made it a priority to debate Richard Painter – even if it’s just one debate, live-streamed on YouTube. This is urgent. The Minnesota primary is August 14. Please call Senator Smith (202-224-5641) and urge her to accept Mr. Painter’s challenge. Tell her she won’t be doing it for herself or Richard Painter, but for Minnesotans.
Kris Dascher
Savage, Minnesota
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