Uh, Why Is Sen. Feinstein Afraid To Debate Her GOP Opponent, Elizabeth Emken?

Yeah, I do not get why Sen. DiFi is afraid to debate her very little known Republican opponent, Elizabeth Emken.
But here is our illustrious senior senator in action.
While an actual reporter, from a San Francisco television station no less, asks what I think are reasonable and legitimate questions about why Sen. DiFi, as she is affectionately known here, won't even consider debating Mrs. Emken.
So, here is KGO television's Mark Matthews and what he was asking Sen. DiFi:

Matthews: I got to ask you about Elizabeth Emken. She wants to debate you. The L.A. Times came out and said you ought to debate her.
Feinstein: I’m running my own campaign.
Matthews: Is there anything more you can add to that?
Feinstein: I did a large event in Modesto, did three or four meetings, I’ve been to Southern California’s and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
Matthews: Wouldn’t it be better for the voters to hear both sides?
Feinstein: Thank you very much.

Yup, that is all she wrote. Thank you very much and Sen. DiFi walks out. At the Democrat National Convention no less.
And here is the funny thing.
Of all newspapers in California, the Left Angeles Times is asking the same thing.
Granted, this is an editorial from July 17, 2012. But the point is that the Times wrote what is the obvious:

Nothing screams "entrenched incumbent" more than a refusal to debate an opponent.

Exactly.
Maybe it is because they are not all that certain that they have this election in the bag.
There is this poll that the Emken campaign is touting that seems to indicate she is closing a gap. However, there are 20% of voters according to this poll that are undecided. That seems awfully high at this point in the election. Especially when you look at the presidential number.
OK, say the 20% is because no one knows who Mrs. Emken is. That is possible. And she roughly maxes out at 34%. What I mean by that is that if one looks at the Republican registration in California, about 31%, then she is over that. So, if the 20% is true, or even close, then she may have a shot. And if the poll is right about Sen. DiFi, that she only has the allegiance of 46% of those polled, then maybe she really is in more trouble and is not willing to give Mrs. Emken the time of day.
But here is the thing.
Even a Republican that has no chance of winning can get at least 35% of the vote in a senate campaign. So at best for Sen. DiFi, Mrs. Emken is almost at her ceiling.
Or is she?
Is there something in internal polling that Sen.DiFi is worried about? Is it that Mrs. Emken is gaining ground? Is Sen. DiFi losing ground?
No one really knows for sure.
But it would do Sen. DiFi some good to actually debate Mrs. Emken at least once. Because all Mrs. Emken has to do is repeat this from the Left Angeles Times:

Nothing screams "entrenched incumbent" more than a refusal to debate an opponent.

Who Know Who Would Make A Good Senator From California? How About David Dreier?

Yeah, I really believe that California would be better served if Republican Congressman David Dreier would take the plunge and run for the senate next year. He would face Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the general election.
There are many reasons why I think that Congressman Dreier would be a formidable candidate for the senate.
Firstly, no serious Republican is mounting a challenge to Sen. Feinstein. If Congressman Dreier were to announce running, no doubt the field would be clear. And Congressman Dreier has a beginning war chest that would have been used to run for reelection in California's 26th congressional district.
Secondly, California is at this point Northern California centric. And overly Democrat represented.
Take a look at our elected officials.
At the federal level is Sen. Feinstein, from San Francisco and Sen. Ma'am Barbara Boxer. She currently lists her primary residence as Palm Springs, but got her start representing the California 6th congressional district. And that is primarily Marin County, one of the most liberal districts in California. So, she is still a No Cal at heart.
Then there are the California constitutional offices.
Gov. Jerry Brown, Democrat No Cal. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrat No Cal. Treasurer Bill Lockyear, Democrat No Cal. Attorney General Kamala Harris, Democrat No Cal. Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones, Democrat No Cal. The only Southern California representation in Sacramento is the Secretary of State, Debra Bowen and the Controller, John Chiang.
You get the picture.
Congressman Dreier coming from So Cal would bring a different set of priorities to the senate race.
Another plus, usually not good but an exception in this case, is Congressman Dreier's length of service in congress. Congressman Dreier is currently in his 30th year in the People's House. He is important in Republican congressional leadership as chair of the Rules Committee in the House. it is basically how bills weave their way through congress.
But where is Congressman Dreier on the issues?
Congressman Dreier is a solid conservative Republican. Congressman Dreier has a lifetime American Conservative Union rating of 91%. Solid on the issues. To see what latest available votes and how Congressman Dreier voted, see this link.
Congressman Dreier has long supported conservative reform positions on Social Security, education, taxes, and national security issues. Congressman Dreier was elected the same year, 1980, as Ronald Reagan was elected president. While this link is not the most current, it does indicate the solid conservative voting record Congressman Dreier has had.
To some, it is not a perfect record and it will be highlighted.
For instance, on an issue that I will delve into in a bit, Congressman Dreier has a mixed record of homosexual issues. He opposed the Defense of Marriage Act. Opposes job discrimination based on sexual orientation. Yet he opposes same-sex adoptions in the District of Columbia.
And that leads to the elephant in the room. No pun intended.
It has long been rumored that Congressman Dreier is a homosexual. He has never been married. And the rumors are that he and his chief of staff, Brad W. Smith were long time partners.
Congressman Dreier has refused to answer the allegations.
And FTR, I really do not care if Congressman Dreier is or is not a homosexual. He has never made it an issue one way or the other. Thus, it is his business. But, if he were to run for the senate, he would need to deal with the questions. Like it or not.
And let me be clear, if we lived in a different time in our history, maybe it would be an issue to plant the flag on. But we have so many fires out there that whether or not a congressman or senator is gay is not high up on my issues list.
And I believe that Congressman Dreier would make a formidable opponent to the senior senator from California. Something that Sen. Feinstein has not had in a while.
Congressman Dreier would be a great choice for California Republicans to take on Sen. Dianne Feinstein. I am very hopeful that Congressman Dreier is giving it some serious thought. The calendar is running against him. And it would have to make the Democrat party pour millions into what should be a safe seat for them. But, with the right candidate, Congresman Dreier, it would be at best a toss up. And a huge Republican take away. And that much closer to a majority Republican senate.
So, if you are paying attention David Dreier, I think that it is time to move up to the senate and this is the time to make a run.