with poll: Gubernatorial debate was a 'complete failure,' League of Conservation Voters says

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder, left, and Democratic candidate Virg Bernero shake hands prior to their debate at the Detroit Public Television studios in Wixom on Sunday.

Mandi Wright | Associated Press

The lone debate between Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero turned out to be "another missed opportunity" for Michigan voters to learn more about their candidates, the two groups said, adding the complete omission of a single question on the environment or the potential of the clean energy sector for job growth in Michigan was a "startling oversight."

“Instead of talking about the 109,000 clean energy jobs we have in Michigan, and the ability to create at least that many more, the candidates were instead thrown softball questions like, ‘How tough of a nerd are you?’ and ‘How angry of a mayor are you?’” Lisa Wozniak, the LCV's executive director, said in a statement.

“This was the opportunity to see them actually debate an issue on which they are both knowledgeable and passionate. Instead, we got easily dodged questions, sloppy mudslinging, and a gaping hole in the conversation where bold visions for Michigan’s sustainable future belonged.”

Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council, agreed voters deserve specific answers and ideas.

"For once, Michigan’s economy is showing signs of diversification into solar energy, advanced batteries and wind turbine components," he said in a statement. “We need to know what they candidates plan to do to keep these positive trends going, and their plans for the future.”

Michigan LCV’s Education Fund hosted a forum for the gubernatorial candidates on conservation issues on May 12, before the primary election. The video of the forum is now being rereleased in an edited format that highlights only Snyder and Bernero’s responses.

It is available here on YouTube, as well as on the LCV's Education Fund website.

Last week, the LCV asked both Snyder and Bernero in open letters to address eight questions on the environment. The LCV said today that concerned citizens across the state now will be bringing the questions to town halls for both candidates to put their positions on the record.

A partial transcript of Sunday's debate is now posted on the Detroit Free Press' website here. The Free Press also has posted a graphic showing the most-used words during the debate.

Snyder said the word "jobs" 41 times, compared to Bernero's 39.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.