This is exactly the reason that Hobbs should debate Lake. Like it or not, elections are part spectacle and public debates are a part of the democratic discourse. A candidate for office should defend her ideas against all comers. If Lake does play conspiracy theorist on the debate stage it would give Hobbs a golden opportunity to prove her point all the while drawing more voters to her side. Lake would make Hobbs look like the reasonable, sane candidate.
But by refusing to debate Lake, Hobbs will invariably create the impression that she is afraid of her. In which case, Hobbs' refusal to debate will become the issue rather than Lake's espousal of 2020 election conspiracy theories and COVID misinformation.
This reminds me of when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly called on Joe Biden not to debate Donald Trump. When I heard about Pelosi's intervention I argued that Biden should ignore her and debate Trump. Mind you I don't think Biden gave Pelosi's proposal a moment's consideration. As it turned out, Trump did himself more harm than good in debating Biden. Based on this recent history, I cannot fathom why Hobbs would find it advantageous to duck a debate with Lake.
In the space of a month, Hobbs has gone from a 7 point lead over Lake to a 2.4% lead. I can't see how refusing to debate Lake will help her cause. If Lake does prevail in November it will be because Hobbs wasn't willing to go one on one with her, call out her bullshit, defend democracy and let Lake drown herself.
I can only hope Katie Hobbs will have the good sense to reverse her position and debate Lake.
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