ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995                   TAG: 9508210022
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium


CUPP, MARYE TRADE SHOTS ON DEBATES

Republican Pat Cupp wants to go head-to-head with Democrat Sen. Madison Marye in a series of 12 debates, but the incumbent says three scheduled forums sponsored by civic groups will do just fine, thank you.

On Thursday, Cupp formally challenged Marye to a series of debates in their escalating state Senate race.

Cupp wants to face off with Marye twice in each of the 39th Senate district's five counties and one city. He suggested a "simple" format that would have each candidate directly question the other.

The candidates sparred inconclusively about setting up debates last week during a joint appearance at a Realtors' forum. Cupp offered to meet Marye in a debate arranged by a nonpartisan group.

Marye responded by offering to debate Cupp immediately, but Cupp refused, citing other candidates scheduled to speak at the forum.

When contacted Friday afternoon, Marye offered his impression of Cupp's challenge.

"One of the basic rules of politics, I guess, is to get on the train before it leaves the station.

"[Cupp] appears to me to be a guy who missed the train, and he's on a hand cart," Marye quipped. "He's pumping up and down frantically. The train has left him, and he's trying to get back on the train."

Marye's opponent took his own tack on the senator's train rule.

"I think his train's been running in the wrong direction for the last couple of years," Cupp countered, adding he'd rather catch a train running in the other direction.

Marye did not rule out the possibility of additional joint appearances and said if other civic organizations want to sponsor forums, he'd be glad to appear.

Cupp agrees the forums are important, but because all three are scheduled for Blacksburg, he said he'd like to give voters in other parts of the 39th district a chance to see the candidates' exchange.

"I think the voters deserve to see their senator in action, his answers to specific questions and to really discuss the issues."

The 39th senatorial district includes Montgomery, Pulaski, Carroll and Grayson counties and the city of Galax.

Bob Denton, a Virginia Tech communication studies professor and political commentator, said debates are an important part of campaigns, especially for challengers like Cupp.

"The more times you can debate the incumbent, the more opportunities you have to make the headlines," Denton said.

Incumbents have more to lose in debates, he said, but "if you're the incumbent, it's hard not to debate.

"But you want to do them early in case there's a need for damage control."

Denton says there are important differences between debates and forums, and that debates are necessary because they allow a free exchange between the two candidates.

Forums don't leave as much room to pin down candidates on their answers and beliefs, he said.

Cupp and Marye are scheduled to appear at the following forums: Sept. 12, sponsored by the Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce; Sept. 19, sponsored by the Montgomery County League of Women Voters; and Oct. 17, sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons.

Keywords:
POLITICS



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