The Governor's campaign announced Tuesday she will engage in two, hour long TV debates with Ronchetti but there is no word of any other event that brings the pair together before the November 8 election.
As we reported last week the first TV face-off will be at 7 p.m. Friday, September 30 on KOB. That comes well before early voting begins and is a good starting point but Friday night is a low viewing night so the audience will be minimized. That's an advantage for the incumbent who is leading and whose job is to avoid any errors and, God forbid, actually make some news.
The second debate will air on KOAT at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 12. This is also good timing as early voting at county clerk's offices begins October 11. Widespread early voting at locations around the state begins Saturday, October 22.
Per tradition this debate will be co-sponsored by the ABQ Journal. KOB radio will also participate and air the debate live.
It's a third TV debate late in October that is missing and that Ronchetti is being denied. Any mistakes then would have the most impact on voters.
The GOP nominee is the former chief meteorologist for KRQE, the missing link on the schedule. We asked veteran anchorman Dean Staley if the station had offered the Guv candidates debate time. He said they had and that he and co-anchor Jessica Garate would excuse themselves from moderating because they are former Ronchetti colleagues. He said if the debate had been conducted a journalist from outside the station would have been named moderator. But a KRQE debate did not make MLG's schedule.
So strategically having the two debates at these times plays in favor of MLG but Ronchetti will still have his chances to upset the applecart and utilize his lengthy broadcast experience to make a mark. His camp came with this statement:
Mark is looking forward to debating the governor and holding her accountable for her disastrous record on crime, education and the economy. He is also ready to show New Mexicans his plans for the state and that there is a better path forward.
MLG's camp made it clear that they hope to make abortion a major debate topic, saying she looks forward to taking part:
. . . New Mexicans will have the opportunity to hear about (her) exemplary leadership. . . and compare it to the lack of experience and dangerous plans that weatherman Mark Ronchetti brings to the table.
Those "dangerous plans" they reference are from a WaPo opinion piece discussing how GOP candidates have "retreated" from their original abortion positions and in which Ronchetti is featured.
THE QUESTIONNAIRE
The questions are straight forward and not devious but those dealing with personal topics like business failings and drunk driving have been the ruination of a number of hopefuls over the years (decades?) who for some reason decide to fudge the truth only to be found out and see their political careers prematurely ended.
If the newspaper was playing a game of "gotcha" and laid devious plans to upend the politicians there might be some sympathy, but these are personal questions a second grader could answer honestly and in the blink of an eye. But staring down the truth can apparently be too much of a jarring experience for some seeking the voters' blessing.
We just completed reviewing the many questionnaires from the competitive state House races on the ballot (hey, someone has to). We didn't spot any glaring missteps but we reserve judgment as the competitors begin fact checking the questions about bankruptcies, DWI arrests and the like.
Meantime, we bring you excerpts of answers to major issues posed to the House hopefuls that we found of interest and sometimes entertaining.
REFUSE COLLECTORS
In ABQ District 14 Dem incumbent Dem Miguel Garcia, first elected in 1996, came with this answer on whether lawmakers should be full-time and paid:
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| Garcia Richard |
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| Rep. Harper |
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2022