Just kidding. These guys would never get beers together.

Republican Rick Hill, left, and Democrat Steve Bullock at a debate in Helena, Mont. Photos by Patrick Record. Read my governor’s race profile here.

The most difficult part of this story, and any political reporting, is the forced suspension of cynicism. Yes, the campaign manager is a third party on our call, and yes, half of the usable quotes I gleaned showed up in both of the debates I’ve watched, but that’s how it goes. Shake some hands, kiss some babies, keep smiling.

Still, I wonder if some stronger sentiments and childhood stories could’ve come out of our interaction. It would probably require a few beers together.