No excuse for missing candidates’ forum

While it was disappointing to hear that Doug La Malfa’s office chose not to respond to (or attend) the invitation to participate in the May 4th League of Women Voters of Butte County U.S. Congressional District 1 forum (‘Not the first time’, Opinions 5/18), it was certainly not surprising.

The Mission Statement of the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, is to encourage informed and active participation in government, to work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy.

These League of Women Voters Congressional forums should quite literally be required attendance for all potential Congressional candidates. Candidates/incumbents should plan around and clear their calendars well ahead of time, as I imagine the League places these forums on public calendars several months in advance. There really should be no excuse.

As long as I can remember, and this goes back to the days of Wally Herger, local Conservative Republican candidates for State and Federal office have often seemed to have been sort of hit and miss about attending candidate forums, debates and town hall meetings anywhere near the Greater Chico Area. Graeagle (population 737) or Cottonwood? “I’ll be there!” Chico? “I pass.”

I don’t remember when/ where I heard it, but this message — for years — has resonated: “I (Republican candidate) don’t need to attend these (Chico) debates/forums/ town halls because I am going to win (the general election) anyway”.

This is a pretty jaded and sad state of affairs.

— Mark Gailey, Chico