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Democratic Senate Candidate Bollier | Ethics Of Debate & Voting

By Steve Kraske,
Danie Alexander, Luke X. Martin
Published October 20, 2020 at 4:12 PM CDT
Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. From right to left: U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, businessman Bob Hamilton, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, state Senate President Susan Wagle and former football player Dave Lindstrom.
Jim McLean
/
Kansas News Service
Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat in Kansas line up before a debate in May. A presidential debate earlier this month was canceled after President Donald Trump declined to take part virtually.

State Sen. Barbara Bollier would be the first Democrat to represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate since 1939, and the Ethics Professors consider a political candidate's obligation to debate their opponent.

Segment 1, beginning at 4:21: Will Kansas voters send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate?

The big political news out of the Sunflower State this year is that a Democrat might win an open U.S. Senate seat. That hasn’t happened since the 1930s, and is supposedly the longest losing streak for a party anywhere in the country. Barbara Bollier is the Democratic candidate. Her opponent is Roger Marshall and polls now show the race is too close to call.

  • Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, D-Mission Hills

Segment 2, beginning at 34:45: At election time, there are always significant ethical issues. This year, there seems to be more than usual.

This election year is giving the Ethics Professors plenty to think about including canceled debates and folks choosing not to vote .

  • Wayne Vaught, provost and vice president for student affairs at Utah Valley University
  • Clancy Martin, professor of philosophy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tags
Up To Date Talk ShowElection 2020Kansas Elections 2020Barbara BollierU.S. SenateKansas DemocratsDemocratsethicsEthics ProfessorsdebatepoliticsElectionsUMKCvoting
Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Danie Alexander
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
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Luke X. Martin
As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.
See stories by Luke X. Martin