Fifth District Debate Dodge

I honestly hadn't planned to blog about this. But with so little actual spontaneity and unexpected drama left in our carefully planned and packaged politics, I think you really need to check out Bret Hayworth's excellent blog at the Sioux City Journal site.

There you will find both a text and video account of U.S Rep. Steve King being confronted at a town hall meeting Monday by his Democratic opponent, Matt Campbell. Campbell wants a debate.  King has never debated an opponent while he's served in Congress, and isn't about to start now, evidently.

This surprises me.

King has all the time in the world to appear on cable news and fly around the country speaking at tea parties and chasing ACORN into the caves of Tora Bora etc.,  so surely he can spare a wafer-thin hour or so to debate his opponent in front of his constituents. If Campbell  doesn't know the issues, as King suggests, then a four-term congressman shouldn't even have to break a sweat wiping the floor this this audacious upstart. 

But King told Hayworth there's no rule that says debates must be part of the electoral process. I guess that's true, although Abe Lincoln might beg to differ. And sitting on a big lead, refusing to take any risks, is a safe political strategy.

But when did King start playing by the rules, playing it safe?

You'd think an outspoken guy like King,  a fearless truth-telling firebrand, would relish any chance to debate the pinko socks off  some sacrificial lamb with socialist sauce.  After all, this is the guy who was going to "chase down" health care reform supporters and beat them "to a pulp." There would be a "day of reckoning,' he snarled.

How could a tough guy like that be worried about a little debate?

“…My answer to that is that judging by the way you have conducted yourself you have not earned it.” King said to Campbell Monday.  

He sounds more like study hall monitor giving someone detention than a rock-ribbed conservative warrior. Say it ain't so.

We need a Chuck Norris infusion, stat.

Will this hurt King? Doubtful. Campbell got some attention, but he's still toast.

Still, as so many once popular politicians have found out the hard way, thinking you totally own a seat can be the beginning of the end. No one is invincible, especially if they get comfortable.

And depending on how redistricting shakes out, King my find himself in a district with a few more voters who don't see him as the default choice. That could maybe even lead to a day of reckoning.