As a constituent in district 2, I would love to see a debate between Dr. Jotte and Ann Wagner. But then again, Ann would have the most to lose seeing that Jotte is the most experience for the job. Please join me in voting Jotte!

I attended this event and in my view Mrs. Wagner has cause to fear a debate, it is her race to lose and Dr. Jotte presented himself as far more informed on the critical issues facing our country today. I would love nothing more than to see a debate among the candidates seeking this office. Sadly, I don't think Mrs. Wagner will ever participate, it easier for her to coast along running ads with her huge campaign war chest than it is to face the voters and state "for the record" where she stands on the important issues facing the voters.

Before Dr. Jotte entered this race, he sat in the audience as Ann debated Ed Martin. These debates went on for months before Jotte threw his hat in the ring. He, along with the rest of the voters in the 2nd Congressional district, have heard Ann debate her positions on important issues. Jotte shouldn't place blame on another candidate for his inability to introduce himself to voters with only two weeks left before the primary.

Martin left this race because Wagner asked him to......I suppose she feared losing to him? I suppose she couldn't convince Jotte in running for Martins chair that he is after. If she is worried about the voters in the 2nd, then she should accept this debate, she has all the money and the big phone bank of people...how could she possibly lose a debate to this ER Doctor from Barnes???? Then again when you are out of touch with the normal people in Missouri and their needs, I guess it makes sense to save face and sit and wait it out til the 7th. This is something the people in Missouri dont need is another typical politician who does nothing......

Dr. Jotte has had multiple television ads himself, along with one radio ad, so trying to make an issue out of advertising clout is sort of pointless. The issue is that the debates have been going on for 15 months now, including the type of debate this being called for now. If today's forum, which only included Randy and Ann, isn't enough for him to express his views, than he may not be the best person for the job.

Refusing to voice her stand on crucial issues in a debate is such a red flag that she isn't confident in her abilities. Aren't we already tired enough of these politicians who just want the power and status but don't really know how to perform once they acquire the position? What has this country come to when asking for a debate is considered shameful? Randy Jotte repeatedly requested a debate; obviously Wagner knew who would impress the voters more and tried to avoid it.

I wouldn't feel comfortable voting for a someone who states multiple times in a 30-second ad or a 2 minute speech that he is a physician, but doesn't have the bedside manner to leave a woman alone who cancelled all of her campaign events for a week to mourn her father. His "youtube challenge" came out the day after Ann's father was buried. Class goes a long way when trying to lead anything

It is important for voters to know Randy is a physician, considering the health care mess our country is in. Every shift in the ER involves triage--assessing signs and symptoms, making a diagnosis, and forming a treatment plan. Randy excels at problem solving--in health care and many other issues. With only a few weeks left until the election, exactly when would be a good time to publicly ask Wagner for a debate? She has refused every typical way of requesting one in the past. Isn't a debate the best way to hear how the candidates stand on issues and compare? They are more accountable that way also. Considering she isn't stepping down from the election due to the death of her father, don't things need to move along towards the primary? A knowledgeable and capable candidate should be seeking the chance for a debate, not running from it. My guess is that she doesn't want voters to hear that Randy is not only very intelligent but also extremely wise. And speaking of class, Randy and his wife are the classiest, most down-to-earth people I know. Meet them, and you would most certainly agree.

I can't wait for this pointless debate about debates to end in 13 days, when the voters come out and vote for the strongest candidate in the field. Voters don't go to the polls because you've raised a lot of money. There has been plenty of rich candidates in Missouri that have lost badly. Ann has countless volunteers -- yes, voters and constituents that are not getting paid -- going out all over the district knocking on doors in the 100+ degree heat to talk to voters about issues. Ann herself goes out every Saturday with her volunteers.

Saying that Ann has avoided all debates is an outright lie. Maybe no one recalls the multiple debates that were conducted before Dr. Jotte decided to run. If she didn't want to be in the same room and talk about crucial issue with Dr. Jotte, she wouldn't have shown up to today's forum with the STL County Republican Women. If she didn't want to talk about issues, she wouldn't show up to two events where Dr. Jotte was also speaking, just two days apart from each other.

And people talking about class -- this is one of the few primaries in the state that hasn't gone negative, and I think we all should be thankful for that. In all primaries, someone wins, and someone loses. One person gets the most support while the others do not. There is no need to get bitter now that it's all but over.

I would love to know what national issue(s) on which Ann hasn't put out a clear stance. Healthcare? I think we know. Government spending? Mrs. Wagner states that position at every event she attends. Government regulation? Taxes? Various social issues? I fail to see how people can be confused on what she believes.

It's a discouraging sign of the times when a political debate is viewed as pointless. Debates should be the primary avenue for voters to hear the candidates' view on crucial issues. The candidates must rely on a wealth of knowledge and ideas, not a wealth of $. There is no valid excuse for not debating an opponent. If a candidate is confident in his/her abilities, he/she would welcome the opportunity.

Why won't Ann debate? Because she believes she already won? Prove her wrong.

If the candidates are elected by the people and a voice for the people, they should not have a problem debating the issues in front of the people. As a voter, I think we deserve to hear from each candidate. Why would we vote for someone based on a commercial? Those are all staged, rehearsed, and paid for by supporters.

So does that say more about the candidates putting out the 30 second ads, or the general population voting based on them? I think I'm being perfectly honest and realistic in saying the following: the people that are calling for a debate, along with those who would attend a debate, are already the most informed voters, or already have his or her mind made up. I don't think I'm assuming too much by saying that the voters that have commented on this story already know for whom they are voting. And, at this point in the primary, who would both campaigns realistically agree on to moderate the debate?

How about you Mike? You sound fair-minded here. . . Wait, you work for Ann Wagner, don't you? Maybe a live-chat debate, with computer-generated questions?

If I worked for Mrs. Wagner, I would have said that from the outset here. And, I think that anyone working for the Wagner campaign would have used an official press release to comment on this article if they wanted to. At least, I would. So, no -- I'm just a voter.

I appreciate the "fair-minded" label. I try as best I can. I'm a fan of debates -- I guess I haven't said that yet. I guess I just don't see either candidate in this race "hiding" from taking a stance on issues. Hope that makes sense.

I think what bothers all of us who know, without a doubt, that Randy Jotte would do an excellent job in Congress, is that Ann Wagner must also realize that he is more qualified for the job. Did you know that Wagner had a staff member attend Jotte's campaign announcement, yet afterwards, she told her potential political and financial backers that she was the sole Republican candidate? Isn't that the kind of deceit we are all so tired of? Basically, she doesn't want people to hear about Jotte because he is a very impressive candidate.

Ms. Wagner says she is "focused on voters"? How disingenuous!

Now Wagner supporters are removing Jotte signs. Is that even legal????