It’s easy to figure out why Jim Risch refuses to face his Democrat opponent for lieutenant governor in a live statewide televised debate.

The Idaho governor has everything to lose and little to gain from the proposed League of Women Voters event Nov. 1.

As a Republican in a solidly Republican state and a successful officeholder during his short term as governor, Risch is a solid favorite to regain the lieutenant governor post. He relinquished the post to become governor when then-Gov. Dirk Kempthorne was approved as the U.S. Interior secretary in the spring. Some backers would argue that Risch should have run for governor against Congressman Butch Otter in the GOP primary rather than settle for second fiddle again.

He has become that popular among North Idaho Republicans.

Still, despite his decisive leadership and successful recent push for property tax reform, Risch should face Larry LaRocco and his constituents in the November debate. The debate offers the last chance for most Idahoans to hear the positions of the candidates for the state’s second-highest office. Kempthorne’s early departure as Idaho’s top executive underscores the importance of choosing the most qualified candidate for an office that’s often considered second rate. An incumbent who wants to continue to serve should tell constituents why he or she remains the best person for the job.

In his defense, Risch has agreed to an Oct. 10 debate with LaRocco that will be broadcast on KTVB in Boise and affiliate stations in other parts of the state and beyond, including, possibly, KREM-TV in Spokane and a taped version on Idaho Public Television. But this broadcast has a more controlled format than the November one. And it’s much earlier. A second broadcast just before the election would force candidates to answer questions about issues that arise late in the campaign.

In declining the November invitation, Risch said through his son, Jason, that he didn’t like the format. Last month, Risch told the league and Idaho Public Television that he wanted to appear separately from LaRocco, then exit the set while LaRocco took his turn answering questions. He expressed fear that LaRocco would be “disruptive” if he debated the Democrat on live television head to head.

Nothing in LaRocco’s past justifies such fears. In 1994, as a U.S. representative facing re-election, he squared off with Republican challenger Helen Chenoweth-Hage in a Coeur d’Alene debate. It was informative, passionate, respectful. LaRocco was well-schooled and a decent debater.

On Wednesday, the Risch camp faxed Betsy Russell of The Spokesman-Review a 1992 article in the Lewiston Tribune in which the late Ron Rankin needled LaRocco for refusing to meet his opponent in a series of four debates. Russell and another reporter had pressed Risch about the November debate that morning. The Risch fax implied that LaRocco was being hypocritical in pushing for the live debate. But LaRocco met Republican Rachel Gilbert in a live statewide debate in 1992 and has participated in other debates in his various political races from 1982 to the present.

Risch is running for a statewide office. He has an impressive record. He should tell Idaho about it during a November debate with LaRocco.