Elections are supposed to be about ideas. But that\u2019s not politics today, where ridiculous ads and social media\u00a0soundbites stand in for actual debate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This cycle, Texas voters haven\u2019t seen candidates come together to wrangle over their ideas in the races for governor, U.S. Senate or lieutenant governor. The fact that every Republican for major office hasn\u2019t been willing to put their ideas to the test in one-on-one debates is pathetic.<\/p>\n
The Senate showdown between state Rep. James Talarico and Attorney General Ken Paxton is the most obvious example. Paxton just refuses to get on a stage with Talarico and then lies about why.\u00a0<\/p>\n
TMZ recently asked Paxton<\/a> whether he wanted to debate Talarico. He fumbled and floundered to his own embarrassment.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf the terms were right, I\u2019d have no problem,\u201d Paxton answered. \u201cI don\u2019t want to end up with a CNN reporter covering the debate.\u201d<\/p>\n In the gubernatorial race, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa has repeatedly challenged Gov. Greg Abbott to debate, but there hasn\u2019t been one. Abbott has debated all three of his past general election opponents for governor. When a reporter asked why he has not debated Hinojosa, Abbott said he is better off with campaign stops around the state<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lt. Gov Dan Patrick has not debated his opponent, state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, either, despite Goodwin\u2019s challenges. But Patrick hasn\u2019t debated in his last two elections and rarely engages outside his echo chamber.<\/p>\n Across the country, The Washington Post reported that less than half of the nation\u2019s Senate races feature debates.\u00a0<\/p>\n