Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) failed to show up for a debate with his Republican opponent for the U.S. Senate, Kari Lake. It was hardly a hostile venue for a Democrat -- Arizona PBS. 

This would seem like a big deal...unless you are writing cover for him at the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, the state's largest newspaper (owned by Gannett). The headline about the scheduled debate published on their azcentral.com website does not even mention the no-show by Gallego: "Kari Lake assails economic data, Ruben Gallego and media host in new interview."

It wasn't until four paragraphs down that reporter Ronald J. Hansen quickly brought up and then discarded (with no further mention) that Gallego was a no-show.  

Lake appeared on the show alone after Gallego, a five-term member of Congress, declined to join her for what would have been a debate.

This has been a Democrat habit with Lake. Two years ago, Gov. Katie Hobbs refused to debate her on Arizona PBS, so Lake got her own interview. Then PBS granted Hobbs her own interview anyway, making sure she was unpunished for skipping out. 

So despite the Gallego no-show at the debate, the rest of the article comes off as an extended attack ad against the one who actually did show up at the debate, Kari Lake. Here is the plethora the hits at the very start of the story.

U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, in a tense, televised interview, challenged the integrity of government data, refused again to acknowledge her 2022 gubernatorial loss and cast her Democratic challenger Ruben Gallego as a nuisance employee years ago.

Appearing on Arizona PBS’ "Horizon” Thursday, the Republican nominee and former newscaster took umbrage at host Ted Simons' questions in a 30-minute show that veered into personal exchanges.

When Simons cited data pointing to a strong economy, Lake sarcastically told Simons, “You know what? I have a great idea for you. When you retire here, you should go work for Kamala Harris.”

Despite the no-show by Gallego, Hansen still got a member of the Gallego campaign to debate Lake from a distance by quoting the campaign spokesperson:

Hannah Goss, a Gallego campaign spokesperson, said Lake’s comments in the interview are an example of why she is unfit for office.

“Kari Lake will do or say anything to get power, even if it means hurting Arizonans,” she said. “This election is a choice between a Marine combat veteran with a lifetime of service and a power-hungry liar who wants to ban abortion — and that’s exactly why Arizonans are going to elect Ruben Gallego in 32 days.”

Um, Ronald. Wouldn't it have been better if Gallego spoke up for himself at the debate rather than you covering up for him by quoting his spokesperson and brushing quickly past the inconvenient fact that he was a debate no-show despite a friendly station host? It was almost as if Hansen was trying to memory-hole the Gallego no-show by smothering it in a toxic stew of Kari Lake hits.