Let’s debate the issues

by Editorial , Kyiv Post
May 07 2008, 23:27

The mayoral election is less than three weeks away, and what do we know about the candidates?

Based on the numerous television and newspaper outlets he controls and manipulates, Leonid Chernovetskiy has been a swell and dandy mayor.

Vitali Klitschko is strong and honest. But Kyiv needs a “wise mayor,” and Oleksandr Turchynov apparently fits that bill. And “it won’t be shameful” to have Mykola Katernychuk as mayor (we don’t doubt it).

While simple slogans, plastered on every other Kyiv street corner and along highways, are effective in conveying basic messages that appeal to people’s emotions and perhaps even the subconscious, Kyiv voters need more.

The candidates have given out campaign booklets, which offer a basic outline of their goals, and voters with Internet access can examine the voting records of the candidates and their respective political forces for some idea of what their true intentions are.

But a good old-fashioned debate is in order.

So far, the candidates are scheduled to present their campaign platforms during daily television broadcasts at 22:15 on Kyiv public television between May 7 and 21.

While beneficial, it’s not a debate, where candidates demonstrate whether they’re truly in command of the issues and capable of communicating effectively, or whether they’re empty suits.

Of course, with 79 official candidates, the debates would need to be limited to the top contenders, which could be determined by an independent poll sponsored by a Western non-government organization.

Then we’ll get a better idea of who’s the most honest and wisest candidate for whom it won’t be shameful to vote for.

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