Rep. Jim Viebrock has declined an invitation to participate in a primary debate to be conducted by KY3 News and broadcast exclusively on the web.
"To keep my integrity, I think I would decline," Viebrock told me.
Viebrock is in the middle of a heated primary battle in the #134 legislative district, which represents parts of western Springfield and Republic.
Viebrock's two Republican primary challengers, Mayor Jim Collins and longtime educator Bob Bilyeu both accepted invitations to a debate at our KY3 studio sometime before the Aug. 8 primary.
Viebrock said he didn't believe a debate would be a good thing for him to do. "All it's going to be is a slam fest for Jim Collins. All he is going to do is bash me. All it's going to be is a shout-fest," Viebrock said. "And Bob Bilyeu and I basically have the same the same platform, so that wouldn't be much to watch."
Viebrock said he would rather spend his time knocking on doors talking to real people than debating his opponents. "In that time I could hit 70 households," Viebrock said.
Another reason Viebrock gave for not wanting to debate is Bilyeu's experience. "Bob Bilyeu is a professional debater. That doesn't make it a level playing field." Viebrock added, "It wouldn't be wise to get in a debate with Bilyeu."
But when I pressed him about accepting our invitation, Viebrock said his main reason for declining was Collins. "I don't want to get drug into a fight about hearsay and accusations. It'll just get my blood pressure going."
Because we could not get all 3 candidates to agree to a debate, we will now try to offer them one-on-one interview forums that will be posted exclusively online.
4 comments:
Shame on KY - 3. You just let a politician control the station's coverage. If a politician is unwilling to debate then too bad for the politician. Go ahead and have the debate anyway. This is especially important when the candidate refusing to debate is already in office. They have an obligation to defend their record before voters and answer criticisms from their opponent. If they aren't willing to defend their record in a debate then go ahead and have the debate and let the criticisms go unanswered. If the debate is a good idea then proceed with it and make those unwilling to appear before voters pay the consequences.
It has been interesting reading the blogs entries here on KY3. It seems like some of the folks who are clamoring for a debate are only interested in sensationalism and not on hearing the issues REALLY talked about. I have no interest in watching a "debate" where the top priority is mud slinging by one of the candidates. I think Rep. Viebrock is modeling the kind of behavior I would like to see up at Jefferson City, focus on getting work done. I see him going door to door as meeting the needs of the people. Since Viebrock and Bilyeu do share somewhat similar platforms, it would be a waste of everyone’s time to sit and watch the debate, in my opinion.
Here is a sample of what we would see.
Viebrock, “I think x because of my experience.”
Bilyeu, “I agree.”
Collins, “Shut up!”
I am glad that Viebrock is taking the time to really LISTEN to constituents. Most politicians, all they want to do is talk. Nice to hear that someone really wants to listen and is taking the time to do it. I see Viebrock as having clearly defined priorities. Meet the people where they are at and let the mud slingers do their own thing. I’ve sat in the gallery at the Capitol and have heard Rep. Viebrock hold his own on the floor. So I really don’t think this is an issue of whether he can debate or not.
Here is the question I have, that I don’t see anyone talking about:
Why is the Harpool, the ultra liberal Democrat running against Norma Champion, publicly backing and endorsing a supposed conservative Republican in the 134th?
Christopher,
IMO, this being a Republican primary, the non-Repub challengers would probably not be invited... b/c we're not Republicans.
However, KY3 should host a debate with the winner of that primary, and his challengers. But, by then, what's newsworthy? Other than being a three-party debate, that is...
Nicole. If you read the newspaper or read other peoples comments on these you would know why Harpool supports Bilyeu. Bilyeu was his debate coach when Harpool won the state debate tournament. Harpool also went to a Southern Baptist church with Bilyeu and sang in the youth choir that Bilyew directed. It is not relevant to the 134th but Harpool is hardly ultra liberal. He repeatedly won a majority of votes in conservative Republic and Ash Grove (as well as Repubican leaning south Springfield). Some Democrats have considered him too conservative to support in primaries. When Harpool was in the legislature he was the state's leader in the battle for ethics in government. He passed legislation to create the state ethics commision, require public disclosure of gifts from lobbyists to politicians and outlaw personal use of campaign funds by politicians. He supports conceal and carry legislation and opposed public funding of abortions. He has already announced that he opposes any tax increase for the state. That is not ultra liberal. I suggest voters base their vote on the ability of the cadidates running for the 134th rather then who does or does not support them. If they do they will elect Bilyeu.
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