From Deseret News archives:
Becker a no-show at Bar debate
Members of the Salt Lake County Bar Association were expecting a chance to cross-examine the two candidates for Salt Lake City mayor Tuesday at the Downtown Marriott. But Becker failed to show up, leaving Buhler to field an hour's worth of questions solo.
"Somebody once told me that an important key to success is showing up," Buhler said. "If you don't show up, you don't have a voice."
In a telephone interview shortly after the debate, Becker said he didn't know it was being held until his campaign headquarters got a call from the bar association about 20 minutes after the debate had begun.
"I feel terrible about it," Becker said. "I would never miss something like that. I just never got any notice of it."
David Everitt, Becker's campaign manager, said the debate was scheduled via e-mail shortly after the primary but somehow didn't make it into the candidate's appearance schedule, likely due to turnover among volunteers following the primary.
"It was a scheduling snafu," Everitt said.
"There are those who want to call this race, frankly," Buhler said. "They want to call it and say Ralph's won. I'm the underdog, and I'm comfortable with that. But I think it's really up to voters to decide. They ought to have an opportunity to compare us, look at our records and hear from us both."
When asked by debate moderator Chris Vanocur if he thought Becker was "ducking him," Buhler responded, "I hope not."
"I think that would be unfortunate for the voters," he said. "The election is three weeks away. People should have a chance to see both candidates and make a decision."
With Becker absent, the event was more like a job interview for Buhler which is how the candidate hopes voters approach the election.
"I think what this race really boils down to is not who wants to be mayor the most but who will do the best job for you," he said.
Recent comments
Just what SLC needs: an unreliable mayor.
Great | Oct. 19, 2007 at 12:10 a.m.
I wonder if Becker is avoiding some of these events because he lacks...
Curious | Oct. 19, 2007 at 12:08 a.m.
Either one would make a better AG than the current administration's.
swrl | Oct. 17, 2007 at 3:43 p.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

