The debate over debates is one of the most obtuse arguments in politics.

But while it doesn't answer any specific policy issues, from taxation to education, it does highlight a fundamental glimpse into the character of a candidate. A candidate who won't debate is telling voters he is above a political process that might highlight important differences among those seeking the state's top job.

In this year's governor's race, Republican front-runner Jim Gibbons has thus far proven himself uninterested in helping voters see their choices. And a recent taxpayer-funded campaign mailer shows us just why he's running away from his primary opponents.

State Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, is running for governor on the back of his ballot initiative -- Tax and Spending Control for Nevada. TASC would limit government revenue growth to the rate of population growth plus inflation and provide taxpayer refunds in some instances. Beers has made the policy of TASC the pure politics of his gubernatorial campaign.

Gibbons has been running away from TASC since Beers first announced he would launch the initiative. Gibbons then refused to comment specifically on the initiative for weeks before finally coming out in opposition.

The Beers campaign has challenged Gibbons to 17 debates -- one for each county. While the sheer number can be dismissed as unworkable, one or two would go a long way toward settling issues. "We feel that it does a disservice to the voters because in light of Congressman Gibbons' (opposition to the) TASC amendment, there are clearly some important differences between the candidates," said Andy Matthews, Beers' campaign manager. "The candidates owe it to the voters to come together."

Gibbons has not formally responded to the Beers camp's challenge and seems intent to coast along, with the biggest bankroll in the race shielding him from any inconveniences. He has agreed to just one formal debate -- on Aug. 4 on KLVX-TV -- a full week after early voting for the primary starts.

When Gibbons finally announced his opposition to TASC, he said the state's budgeting requires bold leadership, and that he is the candidate to provide it.

"In a first term as your governor, I will twice have the ability to submit budgets to the Legislature," Gibbons said. "In neither situation will I need a proposal like TASC to guide me and my principles of fiscal responsibility, or to remind me of who works to pay the bills."

Apparently Gibbons' principles of fiscal responsibility don't apply to his current stewardship of tax dollars. Last week he sent out the equivalent of a statewide campaign mailer disguised as a congressional mailer.

Gibbons' congressional district covers all 16 northern and rural counties and a portion of Clark. The mailer was headlined "Keeping Nevadans Safe" and tells us our congressman is protecting our families and our communities. We know this because of his smiling photo and the much larger and politically correct image of a white law enforcement officer cuffing a white suspect. In the lower left-hand corner of this ad, Gibbons is pictured with John Waters, the federal drug czar, and someone named Christy. This photo is not explained on the flip side any more than is the photo of a smiling boy hugging his mother. There are five campaign planks ranging from "zero tolerance for graffiti to putting an end to gang violence."

Congress is permitted to mail letters or legislative news for free, provided they are not within 90 days of an election. But they aren't supposed to be "partisan, politicized or personalized." Congressional sources tell me a comparable campaign piece sent districtwide could have cost $100,000. Beers calls the mailer a "blatant disregard for taxpayers and their money."

This is how Gibbons is campaigning.

On Saturday, when he could have stood next to Beers at the Clark County GOP Convention, he opted instead to visit Stead, near Reno, to welcome home troops from Iraq. It's impossible for an opponent to criticize Gibbons for ducking debate when the candidate is off "supporting the troops." That's why you won't see the Beers campaign criticizing Gibbons for another ridiculous vote last week -- authorizing another $92 billion to keep our troops active in Iraq's civil war. (Of course some of the money also went to Afghanistan, Katrina recovery and Darfur, buying even more congressional support for the fourth year of incompetent planning in Iraq.)

Last week, the Senate raised the nation's debt ceiling to $8.96 trillion. Sen. John Ensign voted against it. But Gibbons, by virtue of his support for the Bush budget, raised the debt limit last year. Your share of the national debt was $27,000-plus, as of Monday, thanks to fiscal conservatives such as Gibbons.

Republican voters should get to hear from their candidates particularly on these critical financial issues. It's not enough to take the candidates on their word to be friends to taxpayers.

But Gibbons won't debate because he knows each of the other four candidates in the race would beat him.

Erin Neff's column runs Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. You can reach her at 387-2906 or by e-mail at eneff@reviewjournal.com.