Sharing the stage with the party's two dark-horse candidates, Bill Winney and Michael Holland, Gordon and Lummis found little opportunity to spar over issues or to establish themselves as a clear favorite. Indeed, some of the evening's most noteworthy comments came from Winney, a retired U.S. Navy officer, and Holland, a Green River physician.

   The event was held at Central Wyoming College in Riverton and sponsored by Wyoming PBS, Wyoming Public Radio and the Wyoming Business Report.

   Perhaps limited by the format – a wide-ranging hour-long question-and-answer session that afforded candidates the opportunity to delve only briefly into complex issues – the evening more closely resembled a candidates' forum than it did an actual debate, with only minor parrying between the contenders.

   One topic that did allow some detailed discussion was the proposed Wyoming Range Legacy Act of 2007, introduced last year by interim Senator John Barrasso in honor of the late Craig Thomas. The measure, which recently gained committee approval in the Senate, would impose a ban on oil and gas development on 1.2 million acres in the Wyoming Range. 

   Lummis said she could support the ban, but only if it were modified to incorporate the concerns of local governments, including the Lincoln County Commission, in defining boundaries of the area, the length of any drilling moratorium and the means by which it could be ended.

   Gordon cautiously supported the measure, noting that some areas might be developed, but only after a comprehensive 3-D seismic assessment of the area determined precisely what resources are there. The Wyoming Range, said Gordon, is 'a 'precious area'' that needs to be developed "very carefully" if at all.

"One thing is clear: we really need to know what we have at stake," he said.

 

 

   Both Winney and Holland opposed the moratorium, saying the oil and gas industry now has the technology to develop resources with only minimal disturbance.

   While each of the four assumed the mantle of fiscal conservatism, their views varied widely on how the United States might solve its growing federal debt – now approaching $10 trillion – and the declining value of the U.S. dollar.

   Lummis, for example, said the U.S. should begin to model its behavior after Wyoming, develop natural resources and encourage the development of off-shore oil reserves, which in turn would generate federal royalty payments. 

   Holland's solution began by scrapping the Federal Reserve System – "We did not give Congress the authority to hand off our monetary system to a cabal of private bankers," he said – and eventually scaling back government programs.

   An unfortunate consequence of the compressed format was that even on the most divisive issues of the day, candidates could only offer quick sound bytes to questions that begged for elaboration.

   In a series of one-word questions, candidates were asked to offer very brief answers to issues ranging from education to "abortion."

   To the latter, Gordon affirmed his "personal opposition" to abortion, but added an apparently pro-choice caveat that it was a matter that should not be handled by government. Conversely, Lummis offered that "abortion is sin against god," but could do little to describe the role of Congress on the issue.

   Holland argued that following the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Congress had breached its duty by not taking action to put the question back in the hands of individual states.

 

GOP candidate Bill Winney

The evening's only real jab came when candidates were offered a chance to ask one another brief questions. Winney, the former nuclear submarine commander, asked Lummis if she would retract her campaign statements about her singular role in building the state coffers in her two terms as state treasurer, without crediting the roles of the legislature and governor in that effort.    Lummis said she worked closely with both the legislature and the governor's office to oversee Wyoming's investments, but added that she deserved considerable credit for guiding the process.

 

'"I am very proud and very comfortable taking credit for the fact that between mineral revenues and sound investment policies, our investment went from 3.5 to over 8 billion dollars while I was state treasurer," she said.

 

Afterwards, Lummis said she didn't feel bothered by the fact that she had been singled-out by Holland's targeted query. "After all, I'm the only one up there with a record as an elected public official,so it is understandable," Lummis said. "I'm proud of my record so it's okay."    It is that experience, said Lummis in her closing statement, that sets her apart from her opponents, noting that the federal government has a lot to learn from the way Wyoming handles its fiscal affairs.

Cynthia Lummis defends her record

   Gordon, running as a political outsider, probably didn't do himself too much harm as he fumbled his closing remarks, skipping a line in his prepared statement. Gordon Campaign manager Bill Novotny later said that his candidate's nervousness can be easily overlooked when one considers his considerable business experience.

 

"Mark Gordon was the only candidate up there who has ever signed the front side of a check," he asserted.

 

Mark Gordon

In all, the evening was a mild and all-to-brief look at the candidates and their positions. Novotny said the compressed format left little opportunity for candidates "to scrap." He predicted a livelier exchange in the upcoming Wyoming Public Radio debate where the format will offer more chance for candidates to distinguish themselves.

   The four square off on August 19, for the right to face Trauner in November. The race could prove to be an interesting – and expensive – contest. The Democrat, who narrowly lost to the departing Barbara Cubin in 2006, has raised nearly $1 million for his second shot at the seat, with Gordon amassing $828,000, including nearly $650,000 he lent himself. Lummis had raised $370,000 through June 30, including $67,000 she donated to her own campaign.

   For his part, Trauner said he missed watching the debate on Monday, opting instead to hit the campaign trail, and meeting his goal of visiting each of the state’s 23 county fairs.

   "It really doesn't make a lot of difference to me who (the Republican party) picks," Trauner told WyoFile. "It's not why I am running. I'm running because if we keep sending the same kind of people back to Washington election after election, nothing is going to change. Then we all lose."

 

The Senate Races

   While the House race clearly earned the evening's top billing, the Wyoming PBS debates did offer an opportunity for U.S. Senate candidates Nick Carter and Keith Goodenough to discuss the issues, as well. Both men are seeking their party’s nomination to face Barrasso in November.

 

The two also didn't get much chance to clash on the issues, although in his question to Carter Goodenough scored a point with the party faithful when he pointed out that the Gillette attorney was a recent convert to the party.    "You've been a Democrat for 17 months," noted Goodenough.

Winnebago Warrior. Nick Carter hits the campaign trail.

 

   Carter explained that although he's "always been a staunch Democrat," the only way one can effect change on the local level is to register as a GOP voter. "Republicans are a monolithic party in Wyoming."

   Carter took advantage of his question to look beyond the primary and asked if Goodenough would support him in November were he to win the primary.

 

Goodenough vows support

"Yes, yes I would," said Goodenough. "Yes, and I base that on my knowledge of the incumbent, John Barrasso, and the time I spent with him in the Wyoming legislature. I believe he violated his oath on numerous occasions ... Yes I will help you. Yes, I will!"    Laramie engineer Chris Rothfuss, however, was denied the opportunity to make his case to Wyoming voters. Rothfuss is hoping to face off against two-term incumbent Mike Enzi, but first has to get past perennial candidate Al Hamburg in the primary.

   

   The two were scheduled to close out the evening with a 30-minute debate, but Hamburg failed to show up. The organizers considered putting Rothfuss on stage by himself, but eventually decided that would not qualify as debate. Rothfuss, who appears justifiably unworried about a primary race against one of Wyoming's more eccentric characters, had been hoping to use the debate as a first chance to put his ideas – and face – in front of Wyoming voters.

   "It's too bad," said Rothfuss. "I was hoping that (Hamburg) would be able to participate and am sorry that he was unable to make it. PBS did their best to facilitate the debate and even talked to Al (Monday) morning for confirmation."