This week’s poll asks, “Should Max Baucus debate Bob Kelleher in Montana’s U.S. Senate race?”

Here’s the story from Sunday’s Lee Newspapers:

The arrogance of power? U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., seeking his sixth straight six-year Senate term, immediately ruled out debating his surprise Republican opponent, perennial candidate Bob Kelleher.

The day after the primary election, Baucus spokesman Barrett Kaiser explained why to the Gazette State Bureau: “Max plans on talking to Montanans across the state, and they’ll have ample opportunity to ask him questions. But we don’t want to subject him to what will be a circus.”

In telling the Associated Press why he won’t debate, Baucus said: “I am not running against anybody. I am seeking just to renew my six-year contract with Montana voters.”

Don’t those statements seem a tad bit arrogant, to say the least?

Of course, Baucus is running against someone – Kelleher, whose name will appear on the ballot next to his. Baucus undoubtedly will obliterate Kelleher in November, but Montanans ought to have the right to see them debate at least a couple of times.

Montana politicians have a proud tradition of debating each other. And civic-minded residents have a proud tradition of turning out in force to watch debates or to take in debate broadcasts.

Much to their credit, then-U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and his Democratic challenger and the eventual winner, Jon Tester, debated seven times across the state before huge crowds in 2006.