Viewpoint: Coronado High Working To Host Debate

Editor’s Note: Column originally appeared in the June 20, 2010 edition of El Paso Inc.

By Kevin Lovell / ABC-7 General Manager

A group of Coronado High school students are daring to dream big.

Senior Rachel Jackson, junior Meagan Abel and sophomore Jackie Wang initiated an effort to stage a fall gubernatorial debate between Rick Perry and his Democratic challenger Bill White.

It wasn?t too many years ago (in 1998) that KVIA-TV worked with Bob Moore of the El Paso Times and KCOS-TV to host a rare El Paso gubernatorial debate. I remember watching a confident George W. Bush stroll into the KCOS studios for his showdown with Gary Mauro. Bush was unusually popular in Texas and even in El Paso at that time. He even carried El Paso county, which is practically unheard of for a Republican on his way to a landslide re-election.

Now, the Coronado students want to try and make their own history. The date is not set but Mr. White has already agreed to participate in a debate at the new Capshaw Fine Arts Center at Coronado High. Landing the governor will not be easy.

A poll in the Texas Tribune shows Perry?s a strong favorite. He doesn?t have to do any debates if he doesn?t want to. Perry has some good friends and political allies in El Paso and participating in a debate in the Mountain Time Zone might do him some good.

KVIA has already pledged its full support. If the debate comes off, we will provide all production services free of charge. There will be considerable interest elsewhere around the state. The Texas Association of Broadcasters (of which I am a board member) does not endorse candidates or entities that organize debates. The TAB typically pays the cost for satellite distribution around the state to any TV or radio station interested in carrying the debate live or airing it on a tape-delay basis.

Coronado High School government teacher Gary Berglund, who is serving as an advisor to the students, says the young ladies are doing all of the legwork. He told me that this is an example of our ?youth being engaged in the political process and ready to go.? Now, if any of you reading this column happen to know Mr. Perry, please encourage him to spend an evening in El Paso this fall.