This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Re "Hatch again accused of ducking debates" (Tribune, Aug. 21):

After winning six terms in the U.S. Senate, Orrin Hatch apparently believes he will win again. Hatch has at least seven times as much money to spend in Utah in this campaign as his Democratic opponent, Scott Howell, but he is refusing to schedule a debate with Howell.

Howell embodies Utah values, and the people of Utah deserve to have, at a minimum, one prime-time television debate between the two major candidates for the Senate.

It is really an insult to all the people of Utah when a candidate will not appear on live television. Our democracy depends on an informed electorate. We are not voting for dog catcher — this is the Senate of the United States.

I cannot vote for a candidate who refuses to debate on television. I hope the citizens of Utah feel the same way.

James King

Salt Lake City