The Story of the Loudoun Debates

The Loudoun County Republican Committee objected to this fact, and used that objection as the reason for some of its candidates withdrawing from previously scheduled and agreed-upon debates. In an effort to expand the venues for debate, former LCRC Chair Randy Minchew offered a compromise by which an extra debate among Assembly candidates would be hosted, with co-moderation by a Republican and a Democrat. Since cost and resources were a factor in the number of debates the LWV could support, Chairman Thom Beres offered the Loudoun County Democratic Committee's financial support for the debate in reply.
This discussion was being held over private email, and was until that time confined to a set of concerned citizens of Loudoun County, working to expand the venues for debate in this important election season. Taking advantage of these email exchanges, but without conferring with Mr. Beres or Mr. Minchew (as far as has been discernable), the Loudoun County Republican Committee took it upon themselves to issue a press release which mischaracterized the nature of the email exchanges and sought to construe the discussion as one of blame of the League of Women Voters, rather than what it was, assistance to the League of Women Voters.

Here is the LCRC Press Release:

CONTACT: Bob Maistros rmaistros@aol.com 703-728-1648

LCRC Chairman Joins Democratic Counterpart in Offering

To Help Pay For State Senate and Delegate Debates

Paul Protic, Chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee (LCRC), today issued the following statement:

"The Chairmen of the Loudoun County Republican and Democratic Committees don't agree on much, but there's one thing we do agree on: the League of Women Voters debate series must include the local candidates for State Senate and Delegate, and we are willing to put our money where our mouth is.

"I'm gratified that my counterpart on the Democratic Committee has indicated his willingness to make funds available to finance such a debate. The LCRC is also ready and willing to provide funding for that purpose.

"The ball is now firmly in the League's court. This discussion is not about Republicans or Democrats. It's about the voters, and their interest in hearing from all the candidates this fall.

"We look forward to the League changing its position to sponsor debates with the State Senate and Delegate candidates, and seeing the entire series go off as planned with full participation from all candidates."

In the interest of insuring the accuracy of the record, here is the email exchange which has been grossly mischaracterized by this press release:

-----Original Message-----
From: thom beres
Sent: Oct 1, 2007 3:33 PM
To: [snip]loudoundemocrats.org
Subject: [LCDems-news] FW: Loudoun LWV Debate Matters

To All

Below is an email trail of an offer by Randy Minchew for the LCRC and LCDC to co-host a debate/forum to take the place of the LWV forums the LCRC has demanded. Notice how Mr Protic's LCRC press release totally misrepresents this offer by Randy Minchew and my willingness to support a co-hosted forum. The LCRC seems intent on making the LWV the bad guy in all this and trying to make it appear the LCDC agrees with them. Nothing is further from the truth. The LWV does not have the time nor volunteers to make this happen at this late date. We should be thanking them not calling into question their good works. [note: emphasis mine]
Rest assured the papers got my true position and the real story is the LCRC once again lying to the public and press.

Thom

From: thom beres
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 3:01 PM
To: 'thom beres'; 'Minchew, J. Randall'
Cc: [snip]loudoungop.com; [snip]loudoundemocrats.org; [snip]aol.com; [snip]loudoun.va.lwvnet.org; [snip]aol.com
Subject: RE: Loudoun LWV Debate Matters

Mr Protic

I am extremely disappointed by this release by you to the press. It neither reflects my offer or the intent of Randy for us to co-host forums. You obviously are trying to pin the problem on the LWV and that is in itself reprehensible. The LWV does great work and are under funded and just do not have the time for this kind of effort.

Please in the future do not speak for the LCDC, especially if you are not accurate.

Thom Beres

From: thom beres
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 2:52 PM
To: 'Minchew, J. Randall'
Cc: [snip]loudoungop.com'; [snip]loudoundemocrats.org'; [snip]aol.com'; [snip]loudoun.va.lwvnet.org'; [snip]aol.com'
Subject: RE: Loudoun LWV Debate Matters

Randy

The LCDC is more than willing to co-host a debate or forum. We also would like to include Del Joe May and Councilman Marty Martinez in an event.

The LCDC is willing to support you in arranging the agreement and then help defray the costs of the event(s).

Thom Beres

From: Minchew, J. Randall
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:50 AM
To: [snip]aol.com; Kristen Kalina; [snip]loudoun.va.lwvnet.org; [snip]aol.com
Cc: [snip]loudoungop.com; [snip]loudoundemocrats.org
Subject: Loudoun LWV Debate Matters

Dear Loudoun LWV Leadership, Chairman Beres, and Chairman Protic,

I enter the fray concerning the Loudoun LWV debate matter with great trepidation.

But, my admiration for the great job the LWV does in providing debate fora at the local, state and federal levels prompts me to write to you.

I do not know all of the issues and background facts, but as I understand it, there is a concern that the two Republican challengers for the Eastern Loudoun House and Senate seats, (32nd House-Poisson and 33rd Senate-Herring) are not being given the same LWV opportunity to debate their Democratic incumbent opponents that are being given to the Democratic challengers for the Board of Supervisors' seats now being held by Republican incumbents. I know that there are more relevant facts, but a use of Occam's Razor seems to reduce the core issue to that point.

I think that it would be a real service to the voters if the already-scheduled Board debates could go on and that a night of debate be scheduled between the 32nd House candidates (Poisson & Chapman) and 33rd Senate (Herring & Phillips). I know Delegate Poisson and Senator Herring well and both are quality gentlemen who would probably relish the opportunity to debate their challengers. Even though the election is barely over a month away, I think that this additional night of debate could probably be scheduled and advertised without too much problem.

Since I know well from Scouting that those who put forth good ideas should also offer to staff implementation of these good ideas, I would also offer to serve as a Moderator or Co-Moderator. It may be possible to get one of the Chairman Emeritii of the LCDC, (such as Rollie Winter, Dave Whitmer, Steve Deak, or Doug Reimel) to serve as Co-Moderator. I have not seen Rollie, Dave, Steve or Doug in a long time and it would be good to see them again for a night of political fellowship.

Best Regards, Randy

J. Randall Minchew

All of Loudoun owes a debt of gratitude and admiration to Randy Minchew for his service in stepping in to create a coalition to provide more information to the voters. Similarly, we should applaud Chairman Beres for taking the next step to offer funding and support for an additional debate. Let none of the iniquities of this situation tarnish their leadership in the simple matter of informing the citizenry.

At this point, I leave it to the reader to make up their own mind about the actions of the LCRC in this matter. Actions do speak louder than any words.

(Crossposted from Leesburg Tomorrow.)

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