Why no debate?

I am sure we can all figure out why Lt. Governor Jesus R. Sablan does not want to debate his gubernatorial opponent, Mr. Juan Nekai Babauta, and vice versa. A confrontational political debate is decidedly un-local. It is the mainland American style. Most indigenous folks–Chamorros and Carolinians–probably do not revel in heated political exchanges. It is simply not part of the polite local culture.

Let the American political candidates–George W. Bush and Albert Gore, in particular–slug it out in public forums across the United States. Let them try to knock each other out with bloody blows. Our traditional local politicians want nothing to do with it, particularly because it can get so out of hand.

Mainland Americans typically have no obsession with face or honor. Most mainland Americans could probably have it out and then quickly forget about their fight with relative ease.

Other cultures, the CNMI included, may not handle conflict so casually. For others, the conflict may become visceral and deeply personal rather than just political.

From my own personal experience, I can tell you that I hardly ever receive vicious hate mail from indigenous people. As much as they may disagree with my political views, most indigenous folks never convey a hateful word.

Many mainland Americans, by sharp contrast, do not hesitate to attack, slander, harass, and abuse. Hurling invective, leveling charges, making accusations–these are all part and parcel of the American way. You see it in violent television and film depictions. You see it in the adversarial American legal system. You see it everywhere in American life and culture. Americans love conflict. They love to see action, climax, and resolution.

To the mainland American observer, Mr. Sablan and Mr. Babauta should both be deplored for passing up a debating opportunity–for failing to rigorously, sharply contrast their views in a Saipan Chamber of Commerce-sponsored public forum. They may even be called cowards in some circles. But this is just local politics as usual.

After all, Sablan and Babauta are rightly concerned about the unity of the Republican party, which is why they are holding the primary so early: to allow ample time to heal any festering political wounds. Why increase the existing tension by holding an adversarial debate merely to please a few culturally insensitive mainland Americans and progressive locals?

It’s too bad–because Mr. Babauta still owes us an explanation for his pro-Federal takeover Danny Akaka campaign contribution.