Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
Mitchell wants to be elected to the Flathead County Commission, but he doesn’t want to stand on the same stage with his Democratic opponent, Stacey Schnebel, and discuss the issues at a debate sponsored by the Daily InterLake:
In a letter to Inter Lake Managing Editor Frank Miele, Mitchell said his time is limited and he doesn’t “see a valid reason for me to debate my Democratic opponent at this time because I have clearly stated what I stand for.
“I stand for individual freedom, protecting private property rights, supporting all businesses, utilizing our natural resources, protecting our water rights and I am a proud member of the National Rifle Association and believe we must protect our right to keep and bear arms,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell needs to invent more persuasive excuses for dodging face-to-face encounters with his opponent. Debates test reasoning skills. How well candidates defend their stands on the issues in a debate is an important factor in determining fitness for office. Ducking a debate, particularly with excuses as lame as Mitchell’s, does not raise a candidate’s esteem in the eyes of many voters.
It’s fair to ask why Mitchell fears debating Schnebel. And it’s fair to conclude he fears being bested by a smart businesswoman young enough to be his daughter. In his political calculus, better to accept some small embarrassment for dodging the debate than risking big embarrassment by ending the debate with both feet in his mouth and the audience hooting at his ineptitude. I’m sure Ryan Zinke understands.