During his decidedly low-profile campaign swings across the state, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Travis Childers has repeatedly called on Thad Cochran, Mississippi’s six-term incumbent senator, to meet him in a series of debates before the Nov. 4 general election.
In meetings with the editorial boards in Biloxi, Jackson and here in Columbus, Childers, the former U.S. Representative from Booneville, says voters deserve to hear the two candidates discuss the issues.
Childers suggests a series of four debates, one in each of the state’s congressional districts.
As it did during its Republican primary contest against state senator Chris McDaniel, the Cochran campaign has not responded to these challenges.
The Cochran camp’s response has generally been along the lines that Cochran’s schedule makes it difficult to accommodate a debate, which is far from convincing.
The more likely explanation is that Cochran will not debate Childers simply because he doesn’t have to.
Considered simply on the grounds of political strategy, Cochran’s refusal to debate is sound. The latest polling shows Cochran has a 15-point lead over his challenger. Put succinctly, Cochran has everything to lose and nothing to gain by agreeing to a debate.
Yet in another important sense, Cochran owes it to the voters of Mississippi to state his positions, answer questions and measure himself against his challenger.
The U.S. Senate is the most prominent elected position in the state. For the past 36 years, Mississippians have entrusted that position to Cochran. It is not unreasonable for Mississippians to expect to hear from Cochran on the issues that confront our state and our nation.
Cochran’s campaign says the senator has campaigned extensively, making appearances in 42 of the state’s 82 counties. Yet these events typically draw small audiences and are carefully choreographed to portray the candidate in a favorable light.
Meeting his challenger in a debate would allow a much larger audience to hear his views on issues that are not hand-picked by his campaign. There is real value in that.
Cochran has made his long years of service a key selling point during his campaign.
Agreeing to meet Childers in a debate would be another example of that service.
If Cochran is proud of his record and of his ability to serve the interests of Mississippi, a debate should not be considered an obstacle, but an opportunity.
We encourage him to see it as such and agree to meet his challenger in debate.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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