Lynn Martin’s shabby attempt at rousing support through re-enacting the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates is repulsive and only serves as a reminder of how far campaigns are sinking into the abyss.

Martin is running against Paul Simon for an Illinois Senate seat in Washington D.C. She wants to debate Simon at the seven historic sites across the state where Lincoln and Douglas squared-off more than 130 years ago.

Simon doesn’t want to prance across the state because it will take up too much time and borders on overkill. He’s agreed to two televised debates in October.

So Martin is holding the debates anyway. Last week in Freeport, Martin spoke on a topic and then played an audio tape through speakers for the 150 Martin supporters.

Martin’s tactics are commonplace. If you can’t make headlines through a debate, then make a big hullabaloo and get your picture and soundbite to the voters that way.

Debates are necessary so politicians can prove their accessibility. A leading candidate won’t go debate-crazy because it increases the chances of upsetting a voter bloc and thus losing the election. It is a very effective and logical tactic.

But Martin’s actions are insulting. Just because it’s a forgone conclusion that platforms were hurled out the window during campaigning some time ago doesn’t mean politicians should cross the other line and go absurd with political ploys.