Voucher Issue Spawns Scores of Debates

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Today alone there are at least five debates being held on school vouchers. And they're just the latest in a month's worth of such encounters that have taken place from Logan to St. George. It's an unusual number of debates for a single issue, notes political analyst Kirk Jowers:

"It hits something close to home with children and education," says Jowers. "And secondly, there is enough complexity and difficulty in understanding that each side wants to clear it up for you. You can almost sense the frustration. It's Oreo after Oreo to try to explain it to you. But it doesn't make sense with just the Oreo - you need more."

Jowers heads the U of U's Hinckley Institute of Politics, which held one of the first voucher debates of the campaign season. The nature of the debates has changed little over the last month, but Jowers says both sides have become increasingly eager to face off in live forums. People opposed to a referendum usually like debates because they're a chance to introduce doubt in the minds of voters, says Jowers:

"If it just doesn't quite make sense - if there's enough confusion, you'll vote no," says Jowers. "On the other hand, the people who support vouchers are in a lot of hurt according to the polls. So they need as much free media and attention as they can get. And they're probably more willing to do debates than you would typically see."

Voucher debates will be held today at 12:30 p.m. at Jordan Commons and Salt Lake Community College. Tonight at 7 p.m., both sides will square-off at Provo High School and at Ecker Middle School in Park City.

Click here for a live voucher debate hosted by KCPW and Fox 13 earlier this week.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, Election Coverage, 2007 Legislative Coverage, and Election 2007. Copyright 2008 KCPW