Culver, Branstad deserve credit for debating

Sioux City Journal--

In a Sept. 19 editorial, we criticized Chet Culver and Terry Branstad for spending too much time attacking one another during their first gubernatorial debate and said we hoped for better during the next two times they share the stage.

Make no mistake, though. That the two men at least are willing to engage in not one, but three statewide-televised debates in this general election campaign is commendable and something we believe most Iowans applaud.

After reading a Monday story on the website Stateline.org in which staff writer John Gramlich reported about a lack of gubernatorial debates in other states, we became even more appreciative of those scheduled here in Iowa.

Beyond intrinsic value to voters, debates represent proper respect by opposing candidates for one another, for constituents and for the election process itself. Synonymous with political campaigns, debates are both expected and anticipated by most Americans. Anyone who was in or near Sioux City's Orpheum Theatre on the night of the first Culver-Branstad debate can attest to the level of excitement in the air.

So while we may wish for a little more civility between Culver and Branstad when they meet again, we give them all due credit for recognizing the importance of face-to-face debates in their race for governor and making an early commitment to taking part in a series of them.