Political observers hoping to come away with substantive information from Monday’s candidate forum in Cannon Falls likely left the event feeling unfulfilled.
The Goodhue County United Veterans Organization program’s format called for each candidate to give a three-minute introduction to be followed by a question-and-answer period. But when intros were finished, the program’s timetable only allowed for two (!) questions: one for DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, the other for the two Senate District 28 candidates.
After those two questions, organizer Bob Davis pulled the plug on the event at 9 p.m., telling attendees he would be sure he got answers for those who had submitted written questions for the candidates.
Reporters weren’t able to get much more than cursory information — mostly “why I’m running” stuff — from the candidates during the program. That, and photos. Here are a few.
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- Goodhue County Commissioner Jim Bryant speaks to a group of about 150 people Monday at the Cannon Falls VFW.
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- About 150 people jammed the Cannon Falls VFW basement Monday for a candidate forum.
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- GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer was not in attendance at Monday’s candidate forum in Cannon Falls, but that didn’t keep his supporters from representing the Delano lawmaker.
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- Mark Dayton, the DFL candidate for governor, greets a member of the audience Monday at a Cannon Falls candidate forum.
We’re sorry you did not get the soundbites you were looking for. It would appear that sometimes candidates do not fit so neatly into the boxes the media has built for them. Perhaps the Eagle Eye would have better luck actually reporting on candidates positions instead of trying to create them.
It’s hardly the Eagle’s fault for the format of the forum, or the candidates not articulating a position.
It was very hot that night and the room was full. This format is not meant for “debate”. It is a Meet the Candidates. The questions that were written by audience members and not asked were either for candidates who were not there or to be honest were more personal attack in nature. They were not appropriate for this venue. Many of the candidates were still around after the meeting was called and some were even there until 10:00 when I left. If people had legitimate questions, they could have asked them directly of the candidates. People were also told that they could contact the Veterans Service office if they needed assistance in getting their question answered. There were some instances where candidates told a mistruth, some caught it, but it wasn’t in the paper’s report. I’m not going to give the information, as I guarantee candidates that I’m impartial in that I won’t vote for their opposition. I live in Wisconsin and therefore cannot vote in Minnesota
This format is a great place for personal contact with candidates. This was the 1st year that we had a candidate for Governor. Unfortunately, there were a lot of candidates there and in order to allow time for personal contact, the decision was made to cut the questions off. I think it was the right choice.