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Looking ahead: Club 20 debates
Once again, all roads will lead to Grand Junction when Club 20 opens the doors the weekend of Sept. 5 and Sept. 6 for its fall meeting.
The meeting will feature debates between candidates vying for seats wholly or partially on the Western Slope, ranging from House District 55 to the 2nd Congressional District. The statewide candidates for Colorado’s open U.S. Senate seat as well as representatives speaking for or against various ballot measures also will be featured during this year’s debates.
Here are our picks for which debates will be worth sitting in on:
—> For reasons we described earlier this week, the meeting of state Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, and Collbran Republican Laura Bradford will be worth checking out. (3:30 p.m.*)
—> The debate between state Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillon, and Republican Muhammad Ali Hasan should be worth checking out. With how weird this race has already been, expect Scanlan’s cross examination of Hasan to be interesting. Where should she begin? With his ex-girlfriend’s restraining order against him, his declaration that he is the next f—-ing “state representative” or his barbs aimed at his GOP peers? (11 a.m.*)
—> The debate over outgoing Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s plan to permanently eliminate parts of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and Amendment 23 will be fascinating, because it will pit Romanoff against state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. Say what you will about the ballot measure, but these politicos are two of the sharpest leaders in government today. This, on paper, promises to be an awesome debate. (1:15 p.m.)
—> Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention the debate between Steamboat Springs Democrat Ken Brenner and Hayden Republican state Rep. Al White. White has proven himself an able debater — perhaps a “master debater” in his own words — and will be matched up against Brenner, who is no political neophyte and should provide a suitable counterbalance to White. (8:45 a.m.*)
All of the debates, of course, are worth a look. (After all, who would have predicted the fireworks at the 2006 debate between Rep. Ray Rose, R-Montrose, and Democrat Brian Ahern?) That said, these four look promising on paper.
*These times are according to an early version of the debate schedule.
* * *
The organization, according to Club 20 Director Reeves Brown, is still building its debate-moderator roster.
Brown could only confirm that former Colorado Municipal League President, Mesa County Commissioner, Grand Junction City Councilman and 3rd Congressional District candidate Jim Spehar will moderate the debate between Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo., and Republican candidate Wayne Wolf.
*Club 20 gubernatorial debate, Spehar photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
Comments
By Gary
August 19, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
The best debate should be between Udall and Schaffer. Won’t be easy for Schaffer to hide behind Wadhams there. But you are right about Bradford and Hasan. Should provide some good laughs. Republicans putting those two in front of a crowd reminds me of my collegiate debating days when our new forensics team professor thought it would be a good idea if theater majors, failing some of his speech classes, could get extra credit by participating in debate tournaments. It ended up to be an embarrassment for our university. Just as it was for the R’s when Shari Bjorklund was put in front of the Club 20 crowd.
By Jim Spehar
August 19, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Mike:
I promise not to wear the “sports coat on acid.” It’s really a rather subdued black and tan plaid that takes on a life of its own and channels Jerry Garcia when pictured on web pages.
Jim
By John Linko
August 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Mike:
Sounds like you might be getting a call or two here. Judging from the recent “Parkway race” video and other video clips (along with your PBS work), you’ve got an engaging video personality with the looks to back it up. Now to get you fitted for a Kevlar vest ;-)
I can see it now, especially since Rachel Maddow has replaced Dan Abrams on MSNBC: “Good evening and welcome to Countdown. I’m Mike Saccone in for Keith Olbermann”.
John