It takes two to tango: Gubernatorial Debates.

In an Austin American Statesman editorial, Texas voters entitled to exchange of ideas, the Statesman's editorial board criticizes Governor Rick Perry for not stepping up to the plate and agreeing to partake in a gubernatorial debate with challenger Bill White. The major newspapers of Texas have sponsored a gubernatorial debate set to take place October 19th at 7 pm and televised by KLRU-TV. Candidate Bill White has long taken the stance of anytime, any place for a debate with Perry. With White confirmed to debate, Perry believes that he can set the conditions surrounding the debate. Perry has said that he will not agree to a debate with White until he produces his tax records from when he served as Texas Democratic Party chairman and US Department of Energy Official. White has since provided the tax records from when he served as Houston's mayor but Perry says that is not enough. 


The Statesman's editorial board believes that Governor Perry owes it to the Texas voters to answers questions in a debate with White. I agree. As a concerned Texas voter, I agree that Governor Perry and White should answer Texans questions of how they would handle the state should they be elected. The state of Texas faces numerous challenges in the up coming year including the possibility of 18 million dollar budget deficit, an unemployment rate higher than its neighbors, border security, and education. The state of Texas, as well as the nation, face a crossroads in the direction that the state and country will take. These officials running for office owe it to the voters to detail what their solution for the state is, and let the people decide what is right for Texas. Perry refusing to debate based on the fact White has not released the tax records he wanted makes me wonder why he really doesn't want to debate White. To throw up a road block as small as unreleased tax records and to want to set the conditions for the debate seems like Perry wants to use more power than he has. Debates, especially televised debates for the last fifty years have been an important part of the election process for elected officials. 


The Statesman has stated that it will hold the debate regardless of whether or not Perry shows up to participate. The "debate" will then consist of an in-depth conversation of the issues facing Texas.