Posted on 08/28/2022 9:34:41 AM PDT by SoConPubbie
The Arizona Democratic Party nominee for Governor, Katie Hobbs, is ignoring increasing pressure to face off with Republican Party nominee Kari Lake in a debate.
Both supporters and detractors are questioning Hobbs’ decision to skip out on the Citizens Clean Elections debate, which has traditionally provided Arizona voters with an opportunity to compare the candidates’ performance under fire on the same stage and at the same time.
From supporters like Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts, to opponents like the Republican Governor’s Association, Hobbs’ is facing criticism for her decision to deny Arizonans an election cycle tradition.
“Fresh off her refusal to debate Marco Lopez in the Democratic primary, it appears Hobbs is now trying to wiggle out of going one-on-one with Kari Lake in the general election,” write Roberts referring to Hobbs’ previous refusal to debate. According to Roberts, “some Democratic political consultants are concerned that Hobbs often seems invisible – especially to those independents and moderate Republicans she must win over if she wants to win this election.” Roberts calls Hobbs’s decision a “loser move.”
“Katie Hobbs is a dangerous open border Democrat just hoping to hide her radical views from voters until election day,” said Republican Governor’s Association (RGA) spokesman Will Reinert. “Yet by going into hiding, Hobbs only reinforces the case that many in the Democratic party have been saying for months — that she is a terrible nominee and candidate for governor.”
For her part, Lake is addressing the situation with humor. On Sunday, she tweeted: “Still nothing from my opponent. @PhoenixPolice — you may need to go do a wellness check. Where’s Katie?” Lake’s tweet came 24 hours after she publicly challenged Hobbs to a debate, offering to join her “on a debate stage any time, any place, in any format, with any questions.”
Still nothing from my opponent. @PhoenixPolice — you may need to go do a wellness check. Where’s Katie? https://t.co/UaTGKwMm0J
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) August 21, 2022
Unlike Hobbs, Lake did participate in the Citizens Clean Elections Republican Primary debate.
“It’s so typical of hypocritical career politicians like Katie Hobbs to talk a big game about me on the safety of an MSNBC panel only to avoid debating with me on stage because she’s afraid she might lose. Ducking out of debates may have worked in her primary, but it won’t work against me,” said Lake in a press release. “If Hobbs thinks she can spend the next 11 weeks hiding in her basement from her radical liberal record that’s way out of step with Arizona, she has another thing coming. I’ll join Hobbs on a debate stage any time, any place, in any format, with any questions. Come out, come out wherever you are, Katie. I’m not afraid to answer tough questions, and you owe it to the people of Arizona to do the same.”
The Arizona Daily Independent reached out to the Hobbs’ campaign this weekend, but it did not respond by our deadline.
As reported by the Arizona Daily Independent last week, Hobbs has opted to appear at the pricey 2022 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum held by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, but will manage to avoid having to share a stage with Lake thanks to the Chamber’s format.
According to KTAR, Lake and Hobbs “will be on the same stage at the same event next month — but not at the same time. Each candidate is scheduled to get about 20 minutes of time on stage with a moderator, Annie Vogt with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is putting on the event.”
I'm sure that's what she'd like to say. Maybe she will.
Love me some Kari Lake. Loved her on Tim Pooles podcast.
They are all trying the Biden method of campaigning. Fetterman is doing the same. Hide what you are from the voters, spend tons of money on ads, you get elected and the voters get screwed.
I LOVE this woman.
Not much point in campaigning if you've got vote fraud going for you.
I’m getting my Katies and my Karis mixed up.
One of the girls should start using her middle name, unless it’s something like “Lou”
Katie might have been inspired by Biden: Don’t campaign, mess up big time, and win anyway.
Why should she debate if they use the same voting machines?
You left out one key component: massive voter fraud. As AZ SOS, privy to fraud central, maybe feels like she has it in the bag — same as Biden.
Fat Kommie Katie is a chickensh*t.
Hiding in a bunker worked for Biden. And we all know how corrupt the 2020 Arizona vote tallying was. Between the two I can see Hobbs winning due to an uninformed and disinterested Arizona electorate sitting it out or voting for Hobbs. Never underestimate Democrats when it comes to stealing an election.
Ah but cheating IS the Biden method.
She’s akin to DeSantis: taking it to these rat bastards with decisiveness and a sense of humor, but with a decidedly sharp edge. She’s tremendous
just have an empty chair debate
They are all trying the Biden method of campaigning. Fetterman is doing the same. Hide what you are from the voters, spend tons of money on ads, you get elected and the voters get screwed.Has Fox called it for Hobbs yet?
No, they’ll hold off until two minutes after the polls close.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.