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We're also disturbed when incumbent candidates fail to extend the same level of access afforded them by their predecessors. Two years ago, when then Democratic Congressional candidate Dave Loebsack was engaged in what people assumed would be a losing battle against a 15-term Republican incumbent, Loebsack benefited from Jim Leach's generosity of time and access. Loebsack won primarily because of his own qualifications and because he was riding a wave of anti-Republican sentiment, but he might not have been successful if Leach had been more protective of his time.

Although Loebsack has agreed to three debates with his Republican rival Mariannette Miller-Meeks, we don't think that low number is in keeping with the spirit of his contest with Leach. It's even more unfair to the other two candidates on the ballot, Independent candidate Brian White and Green candidate Wendy Barth.

Maybe Loebsack has learned the wrong lesson from Leach's example. Rather than learn to be willing to risk his seat for the sake of rigorous debate, he's learned that giving rival candidates too much debate time is too risky.