Richert: Good News On Debate Front

Before the May GOP primary, I took Gov. Butch Otter and Sen. Mike Crapo to task for skipping out on debates aired statewide on Idaho Public Television. The prospects are looking better this time around. Crapo’s campaign has tentatively agreed to an Oct. 19 debate — although the Senate’s adjournment date could pose a potential glitch. Otter’s camp has agreed to an Oct. 28 debate, just five days before the Nov. 2 election. According to the conventional wisdom, debates (help) a challenger by providing a shared podium with an incumbent. This is why incumbents often have considerable incentive to limit the number of debates — since the office holders already hold the edge in name identification and, generally in fund-raising/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

• Non-expendables: Don’t look for Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen /Dennis Mansfield
• Glenn Beck: An unlikely preacher /Fort Boise
• Do Idaho’s wilderness areas need safety signs? /John Robison, ICL
• Idaho 6th from bottom in 2nd quarter tax revenue /Dan Popkey, Statesman
• So much anti-federal wind comes from Idaho /Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press
• A view of federal lands policy … 50 years ago /Marc Johnson, The Johnson Post
  

Question Why do you think incumbents Butch Otter & Mike Crapo are willing to debate this year?