What is it with the Republicans’ refusal to debate their opponents for the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives and the Flathead County commissioner races? 

Open public debate is part of the fabric of our democracy. In October 1858 the most famous debate of all time took place when Democrat Sen. Stephen Douglas debated Republican Abraham Lincoln for the seventh time. Lincoln used the debates to develop and strengthen the moral quality of his position. Lincoln lost the senatorial election but gained prominence that led to the presidency.   

The citizens of Montana have a right to hear answers to the difficult questions asked of candidates of both parties. Amanda Curtis, candidate for the U.S. Senate, has challenged U.S. House Rep. Steve Daines to answer to Montana voters in a series of 14 debates. So far as I know, he has agreed to just one! 

Multi-millionaire Daines is part of the U.S. House of Representatives that has the lowest approval rating in the history of our country. He is attempting to buy the Senate seat with millions of dollars in dark money from outside Montana. Seniors, beware of Rep. Daines effort to privatize Social Security and reduce the benefits of Medicare. Women, be alert to his actual vote to deny equal pay for equal work and women’s health care. 

Amanda Curtis is a high school math teacher with the intelligence, high energy and drive to serve all the people of Montana and the United States. It is obvious that Daines is fearful of debating the issues with Curtis.

Ryan Zinke backed out of a debate with John Lewis for the U.S. House of Representatives seat. Zinke has refused to release all of his military records for public scrutiny. According to a report in the Bozeman Chronicle he is attempting to take credit for the Bin Laden raid, which is a fabrication. The Billings Gazette reports that Zinke has flunked the political courage test and has improperly emblazoned his campaign bus with the Navy SEAL logo. 

Millions of us have served in United States military, but that does not, in itself, make us material for political office. Don’t be misled by his attempt to paint himself a hero. Zinke like Daines has millions of dollars in dark money coming from out-of-state political action committees in an attempt to buy the House seat. John Lewis, on the other hand, has clearly stated his goals and plan for the people of Montana, not just the top 1 percent.

It seems that the only Montanans left who don’t want debates are Steve Daines and Ryan Zinke. Instead of speaking directly to the voters, they’ll be saturating the airwaves with millions of dark dollars and negative campaign ads.

And then there is Phil Mitchell, Republican candidate for Flathead County commissioner, who refused to debate Stacy Schnebel in an open forum. Some say that he has too much to lose by debating a well-informed and intelligent young candidate. His excuse is that he is too busy. —Jerry Reckin, Kalispell