Lt. Gov. Jim Risch performed extremely well during his 7 months as the state's governor, following Dirk Kempthorne's selection as U.S. Secretary of Interior. In fact, I became a fan of his after he forced Republican legislators, largely against their will, to embrace major property tax reform. However, I don't think I'm going to vote for him this year. It's nothing personal. I decided a coupla years ago not to vote for individuals, Republican or Democrat, who skip important campaign debates. The theory goes that frontrunners like Risch have everything to lose and nothing to gain by open debates. Risch is dodging an open debate with the rest of the mob running for U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's seat. He's dodged debates before. Congressman Bill Sali announced Tuesday that he has no time for an Idaho Public Television debate with underdog Matt Salisbury. Meanwhile, 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson also has bailed on debates. As far as I'm concerned, a politician who bails on important debates is similar to an applicant who fails to show up for a job interview. They don't deserve to be hired, no matter how qualified they are.

Related: Sali joins crowd of no-show non-debaters/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman; and Sali, poof/Shea Andersen, Boise Weekly

Question: Does it matter to you that Jim Risch, Bill Sali and Mike Simpson are dodging important debates?

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