Spineless Cowards
Dear Editor,
Anytime a politician is seeking reelection, and facing opposition, the incumbent should relish an opportunity to convince the voters of his/her arguments for staying in office. A one-on-one discussion of issues with an opponent is especially useful to voters. Arguments are made in person and get immediate rebuttal as opposed to running a campaign only on the airwaves. And, you can’t duck tough questions.
However, in Texas, Republican candidates have shunned any such discussions. If you are running for governor, lieutenant governor, etc. you should not hide from the voters, unless, of course, you are unable to defend your record or you’re just afraid to answer questions from an opponent, or, God forbid, the rabid press.
Again, most politicians, if they are proud of their time in office and the track records that they have, would love contrasting their viewpoints on how to serve the public vs. those of the person seeking their job.
Those who refuse to do so tell the voters that they are spineless cowards.
Their definition of “debate” is “what you use when you go fishing.”
Joe Pastusek
This article appears in November 6 • 2026.