Earlier, I mentioned the Central Business District Association of Virginia Beach (CBDA) debate between Thelma Drake and Phil Kellam. As I’ve been a bit under, I completely forgot about Friday’s deadline for registration. This morning, I learned about a no-taping rule that the CBDA has instituted for this debate.
For those who are unfamiliar, taping debates and campaign appearances is pretty standard. A lot of the footage that is now being shown in the campaign ads of the various candidates has come from doing so. So color me surprised that the CBDA has decided on such a rule.
I am also surprised that the debate is sold out, meaning that not only will I and others not be able to attend, we also won’t have access to anything other than written reports of the event.
It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. I do not understand why the CBDA has made this decision. Given that there has been a real shortage of debates between the two 2nd district candidates, I believe the CBDA is doing the public a disservice by banning the taping of the event.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 