Queen Mitch is running scared

Mitch McConnell, the GOP's number one bag lady in the Senate for crony capitalism and

plutocracy, is doing what no safe incumbent ever does.   He wants to debate his challenger, the annoying and "uppity" woman that is daring to challenge his life-sinecure.  Three times! McConnell is pleading with Alison Lundergan Grimes to appear in what he calls three "Lincoln-Douglas" debates with him.   The Senate's current "Little Giant" for oligarchic reaction should rethink that offer in our post Seventeenth Amendment era.

Mitch has a history of ruthless, effective campaign operations that would rival any Bush for mendacity and negativity, yet this offer reveals a serious lack of confidence by McConnell that he can beat Grimes using his old playbook alone.

An incumbent never offers to debate a challenger if they can avoid it.  The mere appearance of a challenger on the same platform with an incumbent is a great equalizer, imputing to the challenger a measure of legitimacy they could not otherwise obtain on their own. Before this desperate offer, the smart money would have been on Mitch grinding out another scorched-earth win over Grimes. Mitch should be careful what he now wishes for.  Grimes is smart and increasingly pointed, feisty, and articulate on the stump, and smart enough to bait bitter, old Mitch into a "Lazio" moment on a debate stage.

Mitch McConnell Challenges Alison Lundergan Grimes To Three Debates