Cowards muffling political discourse

Texas Governor Rick Perry and the Belo Corporation have conspired to keep the public from seeing how the Governor stands up (or fails to) against his challengers.

For decades, a consortium of media publishers has hosted the gubernatorial debates. Those companies are Austin-based public television station, KLRU, Texas monthly magazine, and Dallas station WFAA, owned by Belo.

Last month, the group announced plans to broadcast the debate on October 5th. At the time, Governor Perry's campaign said he would participate. Perry later backed out, and made a back-room deal with Belo. Under that deal, the debate would be held on Friday, October 6th. This may sound like no big deal, but it is the eve of the big "Red River Shootout" (now renamed the "Red River Rivalry" by AT&T nee SBC). For those not from Texas or Oklahoma, or those who have better things to do with their time than watch some college kids chase a ball around, this is the biggest game of the year for the University of Texas. Football being what it is in Texas, this means a good chunk of voters will be watching pre-game coverage or tailgating, rather than watching the debate.

Interestingly enough, the last time a Texas Governor pulled this timing stunt was in the 1998, when incumbent Governor George Bush debated Gary Mauro. By all accounts, Mauro tore bush apart; but since most stations were busy with coverage of the UT-OU game, not many people took notice. We wound up with another Bush term, and he continued driving the state economy into the ground and cutting social services, before going on to do the same to our Nation.

At least in 1998, other stations did have the opportunity to cover the debate. This time around, Belo has restricted broadcast of the debate to Belo stations and websites. This is outrageous. It is customary for media outlets to act as a "pool source" for events where there is limited space, or where intrusion should be kept at a minimum (funerals, court proceedings, debates). The decision means Belo is able to bury any part of the debate that looks bad for Perry.

Perry and Belo are not the only ones who should be chastised.

Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Republican in Independent clothing, has said this is a two candidate race. What she means is that only she and Perry have enough money to buy the election. She has nothing to gain from having her political history and ideas tested, unless she can blast Perry in the process. That being the case, she pulled out of the October 5th debate when she found out Perry wouldn't be there.

With two candidates gone, KLRU and Texas Monthly canceled the debate. They should have gone ahead with Democrat Chris Bell and Independent Kinky Friedman (and, they should have invited Libertarian James Werner in the first place), and let the absence of Perry and Strayhorn speak for itself.

All other media outlets should be suing Belo for access, and should be publicizing Belo's attempt to monopolize the event.

Furthermore, we are to blame for constantly forgiving the bad behavior and bad decisions of our elected officials, for giving corporations such extensive controls over our political system (not to mention our lives), and for valuing football and other distractions above the future of our state.

To contact Belo, fax them at 214-977-6603, call 214-977-6606, or call Belo's VP for corporate communications, Carey Hendrickson, at 214-977-6626 (fax 214-977-2204).