Comments about ‘Gov. Gary Herbert agrees to three debates with challenger Cooke’

No debates are going to be live on major local stations (NBC, ABC, CBS)? That is a sad display for the state of Utah. I guess I will set my DVR for the one that replays at nine p.m.

It would be nice to have a media that is anxiously engaged in reporting the issues and the candidate's stances so the voters could make an informed decision by setting programming time aside for live debates, not just doing a "summary" of the debate on the late news.

I think General Cooke is the kind of person Utah needs: can protect Hill AFB, not berate the Federal Government while benefiting from its funds, and restore ethics to the office of Governor.

No wonder they are trying to minimize people getting to see him debate Governor Herbert.

Who will be truly interested in listening to debates #2 and #3, and who, after debate #1 won't already have made up his or her mind as to whom they plan to vote for?

I dare say the majority of voters already know who they will vote for based on the 'R' or 'D' in front of their candidate's name.

I agree with you Rifleman. I have voted for both parties and independents before. I think you have to have a candidate that as you says on an earlier comments leads and builds consensus across the isles. I voted for Matheson against Huntsman, but was impressed with the way Huntsman governed and voted him the next race. When voters of Utah repealed the educational voucher bill, Huntsman did what the people wanted and did not cave to the extreme of his party.

Mayor Godfrey of Ogden did not have to declare a party but is an "R", but has done a good job revitalizing Ogden. The politics of hate has to stop.

Cooke in my opinion is the leader Utah needs. He wouldn't use a State of the State speech to appease the hardliners in his party like Herbert did with his speech.

As a Democrat I am impressed that Gov. Herbert has agreed to this number of debates. Such integrity demonstrates perhaps in his belief about what he stands for.

Herbert is not a coward.

Hatch is.

Re: one old man Ogden, UT
"Herbert is not a coward. Hatch is."

Hatch saw no advantage in providing free TV time for his opponent, former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, in the primaries. His strategy was was to save his energy and war chest for his Democratic opponent this fall.

His objective was to win the election in November. Hatch was smart enough to know that a million debates would have made zero difference in the primaries.