Kari Lake was booted from Arizona town hall audience before Hobbs took the stage

[mahatmakanejeeves]

EXCLUSIVE

2022 ELECTION

Kari Lake was booted from Arizona town hall audience before Hobbs took the stage

The scene, which took place at a forum that has yet to air, is emblematic of the contrasting styles of the two candidates in Arizona's tight race for governor.

Oct. 8, 2022, 5:01 PM EDT
By Marc Caputo

Democrat Katie Hobbs won’t debate her opponent in Arizona’s race for governor, yet Republican Kari Lake tried to make it happen at a candidate town hall that organizers say she disrupted.

Under the agreed-upon rules for the pre-recorded event, which was taped Monday and airs at 7 p.m. Saturday Arizona time, the candidates were not supposed to be onstage at the same time and Hobbs was supposed to go first.

But a problem arose before Hobbs even took the stage: Lake was sitting in the front row, in the direct line of sight of where her opponent would sit.

As a crowd of more than 200 watched, organizers said Lake was supposed to be in a holding room under the rules, a copy of which they refused to provide to NBC News. Lake protested, saying she was unaware of that rule and said Hobbs should come out and debate her. Hobbs didn’t. ... After several minutes, Lake complied, leaving behind her campaign surrogate, Mexican telenovela star Eduardo Verástegui.

{snip}

[KarenS]

1. she is a female version of Trump,,,

a liar and a bully, shameless and shameful at the same time. and I see in the polls she is ahead,,,, I cannot believe that folks would vote for this.

[tulipsandroses]

4. I think we forget that there are a lot of people who do not pay attention to politics

No matter we think of her, she comes off as captivating and charismatic to a lot of people. Jen Palmieri who worked on HRC’s campaign is concerned. It’s like 2016 all over again. We underestimated trump’s appeal. Lake spent her whole life in front of a camera. She knows how to work a room and her audience. It was reported this morning that she’s doing a lot boots on the ground campaigning. It appears to be working for her.

[KarenS]

5. I agree with you.

Plus all that she is very 'easy on the eyes'. She looks good til she starts talking.
Katie Hobbs has the 'substance' but like you said most folks aren't listening. It just makes me sad.

[Raven123]

2. I'm mystified

Just heard on Morning Joe that Hobbs is not campaigning as hard as Lake - fewer campaign events, less contact with the electorate. This plus an unwillingness to debate is their explanation for polls showing her losing. Anyone know if this is an accurate portrayal? Makes it sound like she is succumbing to the bullying. Hope that’s not true.

[tulipsandroses]

3. That level of lunacy is exactly why Hobbs should debate her

Sure it plays well with MAGATS and crazy Qanon loons. But there are people that are not a part of those groups, they don’t pay attention to politics as much.
Ron Johnson was booed at his debate last night when he showed what an asshole he is. There is so much that Hobbs could hit Lake with. It makes no sense to not debate. Just the facts. Ma’am. Let her foam at the mouth and perform for MAGATS. Hobbs is not going to get those votes. But if there are people that can be won, a debate might convince them. Especially those folks who are cynical and say both parties are the same. I am not saying Hobbs can’t win but I don’t think it’s to her advantage to not debate. In a tight race every vote matters.

[Raven123]

6. Thanks for the response

[Midnight Writer]

7. The GOP is the Party of Stunts. It is all they have.

[budkin]

8. The "won't debate" thing is killing Hobbs

She's been sinking in the polls ever since this started. DEBATE HER!