TL/DR –
During the 2022 gubernatorial campaign, Kari Lake was adamant about debating her opponent Katie Hobbs, stating that debates are essential to democracy and politicians who avoid them are cowards. However, a week after Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, her Senate primary opponent, called for a series of debates, Lake has been silent. Lake was critical of Hobbs for not agreeing to a debate, saying it showed contempt for voters, but is now seemingly showing the same contempt by not responding to Lamb’s call for debates.
Kari Lake’s Change of Heart on Debate
Once an eager debater, Kari Lake has suddenly turned debate shy. Kari Lake was once keen on debating her 2022 gubernatorial campaign opponent, Katie Hobbs, on any platform. She had expressed that real leaders confront their competition and that debates are crucial to democracy.
Mark Lamb’s Call for Debates Unanswered
However, it’s been nearly a week since Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb challenged Lake to a series of debates in their Senate primary race, and Lake has remained silent. Lamb, another Republican Senate candidate, is a staunch conservative from the party’s MAGA wing.
Why Lake’s Silence?
Lamb argues that, despite Lake’s popularity in a Republican primary, he has a stronger chance against Democrat Ruben Gallego in the general election. He cites an October Noble Predictive Insights poll that showed him leading Gallego while Lake was trailing. He believes voters deserve to see their candidates debate the issues.
Lake’s Previous Stance on Debates
During the governor’s race, Lake heavily criticized Hobbs for refusing to debate, stating that it showed disrespect to voters. Lake had previously argued that facing criticism and taking responsibility for one’s record are crucial parts of leadership. Her silence now seems to contradict her previous stance.
Is Lake Afraid?
Could Lake’s silence be due to fear of giving a platform to a viable alternative? The main goal for Republicans should be to nominate the candidate with the best chance of reclaiming the Senate seat lost in 2018. Lake once believed that voters deserved to see their choices side-by-side, but now, her silence speaks volumes.
Contact Information
Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts or on Threads at laurierobertsaz.
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