Conduct debates while primary rules are being formulated

Joseph C. Reyes, former GOP chairman and ex-officio member, indicated to the media recently that one of the key issues that must be resolved is the establishment of new rules and regulations that will govern the party nomination process for the election to be held in November 2005. Furthermore, Reyes admitted that not holding an open primary would violate the rights of the candidates interested in competing with the sitting incumbent Juan N. Babauta, as well as not prevent crossover voters affiliated and identified with other political parties from participating, thus throwing the primary into confusion.

Clearly, the rules that the Republican Party must establish for the primary to be held sometime soon must be discussed and decisions made regarding the rules and what is stipulated in terms of adhering to them. Since primaries are typically held approximately one year prior to an election, then the rules indicated by Reyes to the media should be in place within the next 60 days, or as soon as possible.

While the rules are being formulated for the primary, there should be some formal debates scheduled between the incumbent sitting governor and the candidates who wish to compete against him within the party. By allowing debates of GOP candidates to take place while the rules are being established, the electorate will have an opportunity to see what the perspectives are of all of the candidates on the important issues that involve the island community, i.e., the island economy, education, health and welfare, and the future direction for the CNMI.

Subsequent to the selection of a GOP candidate from the primary, there should be more debates scheduled between the GOP candidate and other candidates reflecting the Covenant, Democrat, and Independent parties. As with the debates that were between the GOP incumbent and the GOP candidates that wish to compete with the current governor of the Commonwealth, these debates will give the registered voters of the CNMI an opportunity to see all of the candidates’ positions and philosophy prior to the election in November 2005.

As with primaries, debates are an integral part of the overall democratic process involving elections. To not allow debates to take place is not giving the democratic process an opportunity to follow though with exercising democratic principles.

Furthermore, debates always give the electorate an opportunity to deliberate whether the incumbent governor they may have voted for in November 2001 is the individual that they still want to cast their vote for in the next election.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, CA