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On with the debates
President Bush is taking some heat this week for his refusal to participate in the first planned debate of the presidential campaign, and rightly so.
We’ve just finished chastising Ross Perot for his refusal to participate in the electoral process, and Bush should share some similar criticism.
The President says he doesn’t like the format: one-on-one with his challenger, Gov. Bill Cliftton, with a single moderator to keep the two apart. He prefers the panel format^ used during the past several campaigns.
The format was changed by a non-partisan commission, and the new format was agreed some time ago by the Clinton ( campaign. The Bush campaign, however, waited until thelgsty minute to voice its dissatisfaction. Frankly, it doesn’t wash.
The campaigns of both candidates have far too many opportunities for Bush and Clinton to stand before mainly partisan audiences, mouthing platitudes and soundbites to the echoes of loud applause.
The campaign needs more opportunities for the two men to explain their programs, and their records, without the Carefiilly orchestrated campaign props. In short, to debate the issues before their toughest critics — each other. , We urge President Bush to accept the invitation to debate before it is too late. If he still declines, the voters should remember who robbed them of this forum — and judge him accordingly.
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