Deb Haaland doesn’t want a debate: will the New Mexico media call her out?

Deb Haaland has proven elusive when called upon to share her plans for New Mexico on a debate stage. She debated Bregman once and went on to crush him in the primary.  Now, after having seemingly committed to a single debate with Republican Gregg Hull on October 8 sponsored by KOB Channel 4, she seems to be backing out of it. Hull, by the way, agreed to participate in as many as 5 debates.

A lot of New Mexicans (including the author) believe that regardless of her policy positions, Haaland is simply not capable of being governor. She is hoping to be elected without being exposed as an intellectual lightweight or an extremist (both of which seem to be the case).

With headlines like the New Mexican’s “gubernatorial debates up in the air” and others, it is an open question whether Haaland will ever debate Hull and whether the media will ever call her to account for her unwillingness to share a stage with Hull. Will the public vote for someone who is unwilling to share her vision for the future of New Mexico and be challenged on them?

At RGF we have often said that voters will only get better outcomes when they demand more from their political leaders. Willingness to debate (multiple times) should be a prerequisite for the State’s top political job.