Kerry Healey is trying to get a one on one debate with Deval Patrick and was quoted saying “I think it's pretty clear that either Deval Patrick or I am going to be the next governor of this state, and when people go to the polls, they deserve to know where we stand.” The first part of that statement is one of the biggest chicken and the egg problems of politics. We only want “serious contenders” at debates, but how do you become a serious contender without being able to share your views via the debate forum. I have not seen any new polls, but I would bet that out of all the people who participated in last nights debate, Christy Mihos gets the biggest bump in the polls. Furthermore, Christy Mihos is not some random extremist. In fact, I think that his views may be closer to the average Massachusetts voter then either Patrick or Healey. Healey routinely ignored Mihos as if he was not there last night and in her closing statement stated “We have heard two very different views, different visions for what Massachusetts should be like here tonight.” There were 4 people on that stage all with different perspectives and for Healey not to acknowledge that was disrespectful and political stupid for 2 reasons. First, she is campaigning against the idea of one party control over the state, but in that statement she is stating there should only be 2 party control. If there should be more then one voice in the state, why not have there be more then 2?  Second, it was more then likely that the Media/Public would have started questioning Patrick about the possibility of a one on one debate with Healey. After Patrick gave his answer to that it would have been easier for Healey to push for a one on one debate. Now that Healey raised that issue first, when Patrick is questioned on the issue he can easily say something like “Unlike Kerry Healey, I welcome hearing all voices and will work with republicans, independents and the democratic legislature when I am governor. Healey does not respect the legislature or the other people in this race. How can she be an effective governor if she does not value intelligent people like Mr. Mihos and Ms. Ross’s ideas.” Regarding Mihos, he can just say “if there is going to be a Healey vs. Patrick only debate then there should also be Patrick vs. Mihos debates and Healey vs. Mihos debates.

            Someone will most likely ask if I think Grace Ross who is in the low single digits should be included in the debates as well. I think that any viable party’s candidate and any independent candidate who is at higher then 5 percent in the polls should be included in the debate. I would argue that the Green Party in Massachusetts is a viable party; they have more people on ballots running for state office in Massachusetts this November then the Republicans. Green Party candidates have garnered more votes then Republicans in a few towns and cities (Cambridge and Amherst) in past presidential elections. In addition, 19 Green Party members hold either state or local elected positions in Massachusetts.

            Like I stated yesterday’s post, there is an issue of time when you allow 4 people to participate in the debate and everyone having enough time to get their point across. Rather then lowering the number of voices heard, I suggest increasing the debate time to 90 minutes.

Double Disclaimer: I am a supporter of Deval Patrick and a Greek American and admittedly have an affinity for Mihos because of our cultural kinship.