A recently held forum for three races of importance to Antrim County voters was broadcast to 3-5,000 listeners on a local station (WMKT 1270)who could stream or listen live.  It had an on site audience of over 100 voting citizens, and is being posted as is possible in sections highlighting the specific races here and on MTTM.

One of those is the 37th State Senate seat that is being sought by Republicans Howard Walker, Randy Bishop, and Bob Carr (I put up an interview for fun a few days ago) on the Democrat side.  The video series for the 37th district candidates is below.

There was one person missing from the 37th district segment, and it wasn't the Democrat candidate.  

Howard Walker was unable to make it. And at first glances, it seemed he was unable to reconcile a scheduling conflict.  That may not be the case however.  Organizer of the forum, Priscilla Miller relates one explanation why candidate Walker did not show:

"Only one candidate ignored the invitation to attend the Antrim County, Bi-Partisan, Meet the Candidate Forum  held on Wednesday in Alden.

We had a terrific turnout,at the Antrim County, Bi-Partisan, Meet the Candidate Forum. Over 100 people sat for two and a half hours in the heat, to listen to their candidates. Too bad Howard Walker did not attend! He missed a great chance to speak to the voters.

When he did not reply to the forum invitation, I called him. He told me, "he didn't think I would be fair, since I was a supporter of Randy Bishop! I assured him, that "I was only the organizer of the forum", and was not taking part in it. Both he, and his campaign manager, told me they "would consider my invitation" and promised to reply. In fact, his campaign manager, told me he "wanted Howard, to attend and would speak to him." but I never heard back from either one of them, Despite the fact that I continued to send several emails and a voice message, after talking with them, they still chose to ignore me!

I sent out invitations to sixteen candidates, and every one of them replied, except Howard! It is my opinion, that Howard Walker, not only ignored the invitation, but he ignored the people attending the forum and the radio listeners as well. He deprived them of the chance to meet him, and hear his position on issues relating to our state, during this time of economic crisis. It is also my opinion, that if a man's word, is not his bond, how can he be trusted? I am more convinced then ever, that I have made the correct choice, in supporting "Trucker Randy" Bishop, for the State Senate in the 37th District."

Organizer Priscilla Miller provided only a role as organizer and was the introducing voice of the event.  After that, it was all candidate driven.

Priscilla was the organizer.  Of course she would be put off a bit by what she perceived as a slight based on her own political leanings, but the event does not count on only her vote being made.  The perceived bias by Walker may well have hurt him in the end.  The assumed non neutrality may have guided him into not showing, which in turn hurts his ability to reach those voters who may have only this one event as exposure to their candidates.

And as we reach the Aug 03, 201 Primary, he may not be able to reach some of them in time.

A personal current election experience re-affirms this.

As I have campaigned, I have noted the few signs my competitor has been placing have grown in numbers. (not as quickly as my own, mind you) The question I had in my mind (only briefly) was whether I should even bother talking to the folks hosting some of those signs in their yard.  In the end, I made the same approach, and found many of the people I talked to were happy I came by.  In one case, I was greeted with a more targeted "what would YOU do different."  And in that case I believe I have a supporter now.  In fact I suspect he will be reading this at some point as well.

The people out there need to know that the candidate is:

1. Willing to work in a manner necessary to do the job.  They can tell by how hard you are willing to work to get the job.
   
2. Not a head full of mush.
   
3. Able to look at an adverse possibility, and turn it into a positive.

Is Howard a bad guy for not showing up? No.  The real issue is whether he made a mistake for his own campaign by assuming he could not reach folks from a forum presumed to be run by supporters of his competition.  He should not have been afraid to take his message there.  In Walkers campaign, the 37th district Republican primary voters will have limited exposure to the candidate's directly, but every little act will have its consequence.  In a season that promises much in the manner of surprises, disappointments and upheaval, no small measure can go unattended.