If Independent Kenny Golden doesn’t show 15% in three independent polls, Scott Rigell won’t show up for debates with Golden and Rep. Glenn Nye, according to the Virginian-Pilot.
Scott Rigell no-showed debate after debate during the stretch run of the GOP primary this spring citing his “busy” schedule, but apparently a busy schedule isn’t the problem for the fall. It’s whether Kenny Golden will be there or not.
“This is a very touchy subject,” said Bill Carson, of the Third Precinct Citizens’ Advisory Committee, which is inviting all the candidates to its Aug. 19 debate. Rigell’s campaign “told me early on that they have no intention of appearing with Kenny Golden…. We all decided unanimously to proceed.”
Meanwhile, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce has a commitment from Nye and Rigell for a Sept. 27 debate but has not decided whether to include Golden – a move that would cause Rigell to back out.
Rigell and Golden debated one-on-one at the Virginia Beach Republican Breakfast this past spring. Prior to that date, Rigell debated frequently with all primary opponents. After that, most debates found Rigell too busy to attend, including Bearing Drift’s debate where Rigell said he was attending an Urban League dinner and couldn’t make the debate, despite several other candidates easily attending both.
Freedom 1650 hosted a live broadcast primary debate. Rigell couldn’t make that one, either. But now it’s not a busy schedule – it’s a busy podium.
Jason Miyares, Rigell’s campaign manager, said the Republican doesn’t want Golden to participate until the Independent has demonstrated that he has the support of 15 percent of voters as determined by three independent polls.
Does anyone honestly think three independent polls will even be conducted by these dates?
Rigell’s campaign manager says he’s using the standard of 15% in polling that is used by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Uh Jason, do you mean the Commission that was created and controlled by the Republican and Democratic Parties? Of course they exclude independents. And if Golden was getting 15%, you’d be in a sublime panic.
(By the way, what is this irritating habit of Scott Rigell not being quoted about what Scott Rigell thinks? It’s not like Scott is hard to find. He’s campaigning everywhere.)
Nye’s campaign, of course, takes the position that he’ll debate anyone, anytime, anyplace but isn’t making any demands.
My personal opinion? Untelevised debates are nothing to get all worried about. They are never seen by enough people to make a difference and, in these days of video trackers, gaffe potential is no higher than taking questions at a civic league.
How about media reports that might be unfavorable? If a Republican campaign expects positive press, I expect them to then tell me how Alice in Wonderland is a true story.
This is a story that never had to happen. Whether Golden is included in untelevised debates will have nothing to do with November’s result, but it gives life to the continuing charge that Rigell fears debating unless under certain circumstances, not exactly the position you’d expect a challenger seeking to excite his base to take.
