Democrats' debate will proceed, minus one candidate

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

(The Des Moines Register)By THOMAS BEAUMONT, tbeaumont@dmreg.com

Democratic congressional candidate Ed Fallon is scheduled to debate an empty podium in Des Moines today.

Rep. Leonard Boswell's campaign has said his schedule in Washington, D.C., has prevented him from appearing at any of more than 10 proposed debates or forums with Fallon. That position has irritated some activists in the 3rd District, including some of Boswell's supporters.

Some Democratic officials in the 12-county district have argued about whether to publicly urge Boswell to engage the former state representative before the June 3 primary.

But the incumbent gains little by standing with his challenger, while Fallon's candidacy could receive validation from a direct confrontation, political strategists say.

"I'm not sure Boswell needs to debate," said Drake University political science professor Rachel Paine Caufield, whose expertise includes campaign strategy. "It gives Fallon a credibility that maybe Boswell doesn't want."

Boswell campaign aides have said his work as a member of the conference committee considering the farm bill this spring was a key reason he was unable to accept invitations from political and media organizations.

"When the congressman is in Iowa, he will be traveling through the district attending previously scheduled events and meetings with constituents," campaign spokeswoman Betsy Shelton said.

The Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa and Central Iowa Operation Democracy say they will go ahead with plans to hold today's forum at the State Historical Building in Des Moines at 7 p.m., and set up a podium where Boswell would have stood had he accepted the invitation.

The groups holding tonight's forum are seen as a safe audience for Fallon, who is challenging Boswell from the left.

Boswell has declined other invitations, including events proposed by The Des Moines Register and KCCI-TV.

Nancy Bobo, chairwoman of a Democratic group, Women for a Stronger America, is a Boswell supporter but wishes he would agree to a debate. He declined an invitation from that group, too.

"I think it would be a good thing actually for them to debate," said Bobo, a nonprofit administrator from Des Moines. "I think it would be good for the process. They are two totally different candidates, and a debate would really help clarify where they are coming from."

Many of the district's county Democratic central committee members support Boswell, but they've also been discussing whether he should face Fallon.

Jasper County Democrats passed a resolution urging Boswell to debate. The Polk County Democratic Central Committee easily defeated a similar resolution after arguing for 45 minutes at its most recent meeting.

"If the Polk County Democrats had called on Congressman Boswell to engage in a debate, that would have been the Polk County central committee taking a position in a primary," Polk County Democratic Chairman Tom Henderson said. "The party apparatus stays neutral in the primary so we can come in and have a consensus in the fall."

Fallon, who calls himself a progressive, has long opposed the war in Iraq and has criticized Boswell for voting for war-spending measures.

Boswell is considered a moderate Democrat. His committee assignments include agriculture, transportation and intelligence.