The Great Debaters

In a matter of hours, the eight senatorial candidates vying for two seats to represent the municipality of Saipan, will face off for the first time this campaign season. This evening, the Chamber of Commerce will showcase one of two Great Debates. The other being tomorrow for the gubernatorial candidates.

This evening, Senate President Pete P. Reyes and Rep. Ralph Torres of the Republican Party will join the Covenant Party hopefuls of former representatives Ana Teregeyo and Jacinta Kaipat; Rep. Justo Quitugua of the Democratic Party and the independent candidates, Gregorio Cruz, Paul Camacho and Rep. Tina Sablan.

CLW is anticipating a good turnout this evening. We will post details of the debate as soon as they become available. Tonight's event may very well alter current street polls indicating Rep. Tina Sablan and Deputy Secretary of Labor Jacinta Kaipat as the frontrunners for the two seats up for grabs. Rep. Ralph Torres, Sen. Pete Reyes and Rep. Justo Quitugua are currently neck and neck following the top two on the leader board.

Calling out Heinz

Information technology has impacted the political arena as evidenced in the emergence of active campaign websites, myspace and facebook social networks. All but independent gubernatorial candidate Ramon S. Guerrero have launched such sites in the past few months.

The launching of their informational sites provides much advantage in providing the electorate with an in-depth analysis of each tandems platforms and biographical background -- except for one team.

That leads us to issue a public challenge to the tandem of Heinz S. Hofschneider and Arnold I. Palacios. While the public is appreciative of having the opportunity to view the Heinz/Arnold platform, the public is also interested in the candidates' professional and educational background. Thus, the public will have a clearer understanding as to whether the candidates themselves are qualified enough to carry out the golden promises of a better tomorrow.

Of the three tandems' websites, the bio-data of the Juan Pan/Joe Camacho and the Benigno Fitial/Eloy Inos teams are readily available. However, a search on the Heinz/Arnold website fails to produce a bio-data outlining the professional and educational background of the duo. Since the Heinz/Arnold tandem portrays themselves as advocates of an open government, the public challenges the duo to release their professional and educational background immediately.

Let it all out, no hidden agendas!