Steve Kraske: Sen. Pat Roberts won’t debate Milton Wolf (following the Thad Cochran model)

kansascity.com ^ | 7/17/14 | Steve Kraske

[cotton1706]

Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas has made his decision on whether to debate his primary opponent, tea partier Milton Wolf.

No thanks, the senator said this week.

In making his decision, the Republican had to evaluate a host of political and civic obligation considerations. He sided with the political.

Let’s consider this for a moment. After three terms in the Senate, eight terms in the House and 13 more years as a congressional aide, Roberts is sidestepping what to me is a fundamental obligation. At election time, we expect our candidates to stand side by side with their opponents and address the day’s pressing issues.

At least once, right?

It’s a simple proposition. The idea is to let voters compare two candidates answering the same questions.

Roberts is a Marine who portrays himself as willing to stand up to anybody. But he won’t stand up to Wolf, whose feisty, upstart campaign has given the incumbent headaches from the start.

But, hey, talk to people who follow Kansas politics closely and you’ll find almost unanimous agreement. Roberts, they say, has no business debating Wolf. Roberts has nothing to gain by putting himself out there.

Let’s count the reasons why.

[CPT Clay]

Pat who?

[SamuraiScot]

I'd love to see a spot making fun of Roberts for ducking the debates—by showing footage of him saying various vague, useless, liberal, or otherwise stupid things during his endless incumbency. Then have Dr. Wolf at a podium, as if in a candidate debate, complete with audience, replying to each one in a slam-dunk.

Is that what they're afraid might happen if Roberts actually debates him?

[Theodore R.]

Roberts knows that KS people wouldn’t watch a debate anyway. All Roberts has to do to win convincingly is put his name on the ballot and have Bob Dole cut a commercial for him.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

A golden opportunity for his opponents. They should agree on holding their own debate, leaving an empty chair for Roberts, and being cordial and gentlemanly to each other.

They could also agree to debate subjects that are popular with the voters, in general agreement, making it appear that Roberts would be opposed.

“We are both in agreement about the inherent goodness of milk, Mom, and apple pie.” Then they look at Roberts empty chair, as if he is opposed. “However, we are strongly opposed to wife-beating.” Again, they look at Roberts empty chair.

On a more serious note, they could agree against Obamacare, the abuses of the EPA and IRS, stopping illegal immigration, etc. By the end of the debate, Roberts would look like a leftist monster.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That seat belongs to HIM. It’s outrageous that anyone would even contest him for it.

[Night Hides Not]

It’s outrageous that anyone would even contest him for it.

And Wolf is a crackpot, too! At least that's what I read on Free Republic.

[centurion316]

The stupid voters have no right to hear from me. I’m not some hayseed from Kansas, I am Senator Roberts. Don’t you understand, it’s my way or the highway. This seat is mine until I say it isn’t. What kind of operation do you think we are running here in Virginia. Why, if we had a debate, this quack would probably want me to fly to Kansas. I’m saving that trip for the general election.