2008 Woodie Awards
Republicans cancel Ohio debate
Party leans 'heavily' on McCain following Romney's withdrawal
Rebecca Kelley
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Community
Ohio, a state typically known to have an influence in national elections, is losing out on the opportunity to host a Republican debate for the upcoming presidential primaries.
The Ohio Republican debate, initially scheduled by CNN for Feb. 28, is no longer occurring due to the withdrawal of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney from the presidential election, according to John McClelland, communications spokesperson for the Ohio Republican Party. According to McClelland, the results from the recent primaries combined with the withdrawal of Romney narrowed down the potential candidate pool for the Republicans.
"It's pretty clear that the Republican Party is leaning heavily towards John McCain as its nominee," McClelland said.
According to McClelland, before the Super Tuesday primary, there seemed to be a tight race for candidacy on both the Republican and Democratic sides.
"After the Super Tuesday primary, when it seemed pretty clear that the Republican Party has a presumptive nominee, there wasn't as much interest in moving forward with the debate," McClelland said.
McClelland explained that extensive time and effort go into hosting a debate, including a large amount of money. If the debate is not necessary, and if there is not a lot of support behind it, there is no need to host one.
"It is important to look at it from a practical standpoint," he said.
According to McClelland, debates are important to the election process because of the depth they bring to the candidates' viewpoints that the media sound bites typically cannot show. McClelland also believes that debates can show a different side of the candidates.
"It's a great opportunity to see candidates under pressure; how they react, how they respond," McClelland said.
According to Miami University political science professor Jeanne Hey, the cancellation of the debate does not hurt Ohio voters very much, if at all.
"Since all debates are nationally televised, the absence of a Republican debate on Ohio soil has little effect on Ohio voters' access to Republican debates and views more generally," said Hey via e-mail, who is also the director of Miami's department of international studies.
The Ohio Republican debate, initially scheduled by CNN for Feb. 28, is no longer occurring due to the withdrawal of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney from the presidential election, according to John McClelland, communications spokesperson for the Ohio Republican Party. According to McClelland, the results from the recent primaries combined with the withdrawal of Romney narrowed down the potential candidate pool for the Republicans.
"It's pretty clear that the Republican Party is leaning heavily towards John McCain as its nominee," McClelland said.
According to McClelland, before the Super Tuesday primary, there seemed to be a tight race for candidacy on both the Republican and Democratic sides.
"After the Super Tuesday primary, when it seemed pretty clear that the Republican Party has a presumptive nominee, there wasn't as much interest in moving forward with the debate," McClelland said.
McClelland explained that extensive time and effort go into hosting a debate, including a large amount of money. If the debate is not necessary, and if there is not a lot of support behind it, there is no need to host one.
"It is important to look at it from a practical standpoint," he said.
According to McClelland, debates are important to the election process because of the depth they bring to the candidates' viewpoints that the media sound bites typically cannot show. McClelland also believes that debates can show a different side of the candidates.
"It's a great opportunity to see candidates under pressure; how they react, how they respond," McClelland said.
According to Miami University political science professor Jeanne Hey, the cancellation of the debate does not hurt Ohio voters very much, if at all.
"Since all debates are nationally televised, the absence of a Republican debate on Ohio soil has little effect on Ohio voters' access to Republican debates and views more generally," said Hey via e-mail, who is also the director of Miami's department of international studies.
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John Crowley
posted 2/18/08 @ 11:53 PM EST
You forgot to mention that Rep. Ron Paul is also still running.
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