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Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake challenged her Democrat opponent, Katie Hobbs, to debate on the platform of her choice—a stage, a public parking lot, a left-leaning media outlet, and even suggested panelists from The View as moderators.
Hobbs, for her part, has refused to debate Lake on multiple occasions. After criticism from voters, the Democrat candidate excused herself on CNN saying that the Republican is “only interested in creating a spectacle”
At a campaign event last Thursday, Lake sent a message directly to Hobbs, asking her to show “some courage,” challenging her to debate on the platform of the Democrat’s choice.
“In case she’s listening: Katie, I will debate you on a stage. I will debate you in a parking lot. I will debate you in a library. I will debate you in a bar. I will debate you in a car. I will debate you on CNN or MSNBC. I will debate you on The View & let Joy Behar & Whoopie ask questions,” Lake said. “But show some courage!.”
The challenge came after the moderator pointed out that Hobbs would be interviewed on CNN a segment after Lake. When an audience member asked why they didn’t face off in a joint interview, the Republican candidate said she “would love to.”
Lake insists on CNN, Hobbs excuses herself
During CNN’s State of the Union broadcast on Sunday, Lake told host Dana Bash that Arizona voters “will never support or vote for a coward” like her Democrat opponent, and claimed that, by refusing to debate, Hobbs is destroying a tradition for citizens.
In the next segment, Bash asked Hobbs about her decision not to debate her opponent, citing an op-ed by Laurie Roberts of The Arizona Republic, who wrote that “Hobbs’ refusal to debate her opponent on Wednesday represents a new level of political malpractice.”
“Kari Lake has made it clear time and time again that she’s not interested in having substantive, in-depth conversations about the issues that matter to Arizonans,” Hobbs said, despite several invitations Lake has made in the past. “She only wants a scenario where she can control the dialogue,” she continued, “and she’s refused to sit down in a one-on-one, lengthy conversation to really clarify with Arizonans where she is on the issues. She’s the one who’s afraid of talking to voters where she’s at.”
Polls give Lake a small lead over Hobbs. According to FiveThirtyEight data, 47% of Arizona voters prefer the Republican candidate, compared to 46.2% who would vote for the Democrat.
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.