Arizona voters deserve better. One of the most important traditions in our democracy is the opportunity to watch candidates debate. Debates allow voters to compare leadership styles, hear candidates defend their records, explain their policies, and answer difficult questions in real time. Campaign ads and carefully scripted interviews simply are not the same.
Gov. Katie Hobbs’ refusal to debate her opponent is disappointing. Regardless of political affiliation, every voter deserves the chance to see both candidates on the same stage before casting a ballot. That is how informed decisions are made.
Elections are not just about party labels or television commercials. They are about accountability and transparency. Candidates asking for the privilege
of leading our state should be willing to stand before the public, answer questions, and defend their vision for Arizona.
Whether someone ultimately supports Gov. Hobbs or her opponent, refusing to debate deprives Arizona voters of information they deserve. Our democracy is stronger when candidates are willing to engage openly and let voters judge for themselves.
Diane Spence, Scottsdale
Arizona debates need a reboot
No Arizona gubernatorial debates this year. I don't blame Gov. Hobbs. Once upon a time candidates actually answered serious policy questions, and even listened to their opponents' responses. Political debates have been degenerating for decades, but in the Trump era have turned into clown/reality TV shouting matches.
In 2022, Kari Lake may have driven the final stake through the vampire's heart (in the Republicans-only primary debate).
Watching debates these days is like NASCAR — hoping to see spectacular crashes, in the form of zingers, gotchas, and gaffes.
If you want the debates to be informative, rather than entertaining, I suggest a few format changes:
- Moderator(s) turn off the mic for everyone except the candidate scheduled to speak.
- Real-time fact checking.
- Re-ask any question that a candidate refuses to answer.
- Allow candidates to each pick questioners for their opponent. They will get hard questions, not softballs, or false balance ones.
Who knows, it might be both informative and entertaining?
Andrew March, Phoenix
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona voters deserve a debate | Letters
