The stage at the Mackinac Policy Conference will be missing some key players as the U.S. Senate debate, originally slated for May 30, has been axed. Michigan's political scene received the news Wednesday after top dogs in the race, ex-U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, chasing the GOP nod, and Democrat U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, withdrew their participation. The Detroit Regional Chamber, faced with a lopsided stage, begrudgingly pulled the plug, disrupting a decade-long tradition of electoral sparring.
According to the Detroit News, the Chamber expressed concern over the candidates' choice to forgo the debate, lamenting the focus on quick hits and likes over substantive political discourse."Today’s dynamics favor sound bites, clicks and 'likes,' and let political strategy take precedence over informing voters by standing 'in the arena' debating ideas, priorities, and values with others vying for the same position of public trust."
Amid accusations of ducking the debate, Rogers' campaign has spun a yarn of readiness, insisting their candidate is primed "anytime, anywhere" to take on Slotkin's support of a "failed Biden agenda that's crushing Michigan families," as Rogers' spokesman Chris Gustafson is quoted in the Detroit Free Press. Slotkin's campaign, on the other hand, says it was willing to participate, but only under conditions of an equally balanced candidate stage.
The chorus of those ready to debate was not silent. Sandy Pensler stood apart, ready to challenge Rogers, with a statement secured by the Detroit News where he accused Rogers of being "scared" to defend his track record. The Detroit Regional Chamber said the cancellation was their last resort after initially polling candidates back on April 1 and extending invites a month later, believing to provide voters "insight" that is now lost.
In a broader push to rejuvenate the political dialogue, the Chamber welcomed the idea of reform, including the potential of non-partisan primaries or ranked-choice voting. They expressed these sentiments on their website.
