FYI: Texas gubernatorial candidates to debate in Spanish

[Scott McGinnis]

New York Times, February 21, 2002

           Texas Candidates to Debate in Spanish


           AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- In a historic event that shows the
changing makeup of the electorate, the two top Democratic candidates for
the gubernatorial nomination in Texas have agreed to debate in Spanish.
Tony Sanchez and Dan Morales agreed to hold two televised debates in
Dallas on March 1: the first in English and the second in Spanish.

           The agreement on Wednesday came days after debate plans were
abandoned when the Sanchez campaign accused the Morales camp of
negotiating in bad faith and of launching personal attacks.  The debate
would be the first time candidates for a major office in the United
States responded to questions and debated in Spanish, said Arturo
Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected
and Appointed Officials.

           ``It's history in the making. It speaks volumes about the
changing nature of, certainly, the Texas electorate and the national
electorate,'' said Vargas. ``It really just speaks about bringing new
voters into the process and engaging all Texans in elections.'' Morales,
a former state attorney general, is waging his campaign with far less
money than Sanchez and was hoping televised debates would help spread
his message. Sanchez, a multimillionaire, is saturating the state with
paid TV ads. In January, Sanchez reported spending more than $6 million
to Morales' $127,000.

           The Democratic primary is March 12. The winner faces
Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who is unopposed for the Republican
nomination.