Wednesday’s evening news included John McCain’s choice not to engage in a debate with Barack Obama this Friday. He asserts he does not want to divert attention from the task of Congress to create some program to end our economic problems. Regrettably, Mr. McCain’s logic and judgment is lacking.

While President Bush gave us his message Wednesday night, what is clear is that either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama will be the president when the impact of this legislation begins to be felt. President Bush can speak his words with virtual impunity. He will not be in Washington in six months, in six years or whenever the true measure of any “solution” comes home to roost.

The American people should see their candidates debate these issues face to face. Neither of them will have all the answers, but certainly we have the absolute right, perhaps the absolute duty, to hear them explain how their presidency would deal with these issues, how they will contend with the massive increase in our national debt, how they will begin to restore our economy and, in many ways, our future.

To decline to debate sends a wrong message to the American people. It suggests that Mr. McCain has no confidence that the American people will be interested and will understand. It suggests the American people are not able to listen to a debate while following other news. It suggests Mr. McCain has no confidence that his suggestions will withstand public scrutiny. Instead of debating, he retreats to the back rooms of Congress, where he is insulated, and where he does not have to reconcile his actions with his political rhetoric.

Paul Chaiken

Bangor