Debate over debates rages on

The gubernatorial flap over who wants to debate, who offered to debate first, who wants to debate now, or when and where, continued today.

Let us know who you think is taking the high road based on press statements:

In their latest news release, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's campaign says U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland’s campaign "has now reverted to gamesmanship in an attempt to back away from their public commitment to a series of summer and fall debates.''

“We don’t want to have a debate about the debates,” said Carlo LoParo, Blackwell's spokesman. “We want these two candidates to speak to the people of Ohio in an open, fair and free-wheeling discussion, beginning as soon as possible.”

In a news release earlier today, Strickland said he accepted debate offers from several groups and media outlets. However, LoParo said that when the Blackwell campaign contacted many of those media outlets and organizations, they said they had not yet sent out invitations for such a debate, nor received acceptance of their offer from the Strickland campaign.

“We are disappointed Congressman Strickland is playing games instead of conducting good faith negotiations to arrange these important debates for the summer and fall,” LoParo said. “We stand ready to make arrangements for these debates immediately. It seems Strickland has no interest.”

Monday, Blackwell proposed the following dates, cities and times for the upcoming two weeks:

-- Thursday, June 15, Youngstown, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
-- Monday, June 19, Cincinnati, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
-- Tuesday, June 20, Columbus, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
-- Wednesday, June 21, Columbus, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
-- Thursday, June 22, Columbus, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Each week, Blackwell offered to issue a new list of proposed times and dates with the hope a few will accommodate Strickland’s schedule.

The Blackwell campaign also stands ready to meet with the Strickland campaign to coordinate other dates, times and locations, LoParo said.

Strickland's campaign, meanwhile, announced it is committed to multiple debates that have been proposed to both campaigns by independent organizations and media.

The Strickland campaign proposed four debates - one each month starting in July.

"We are committed to sitting down with the Blackwell campaign and discussing dates, times and formats for debates," said Strickland debate coordinator David Wilhelm. "However, the Blackwell campaign, at this time, has refused to sit down and have such discussions. Quite frankly, they seem more interested in trying to score political points than coming to a serious agreement."

Wilhelm noted that the most recent communication he received from the Blackwell campaign demanded a format that would not allow for questions from a panel or an audience - only speeches by the candidates.

"Speeches by both candidates in the same general vicinity are not the same as open debates moderated by a neutral party with questions from the media or the public," Wilhelm said. "I think Ohioans will see through this ruse and demand what they deserve: real debates with tough questions."

Strickland's campaign said it would participate in the following debates or forums proposed by independent organizations and media:

-- Children’s Hunger Alliance
-- Ohio Association of Broadcasters
-- League of Women Voters/Ohio Historical Society
-- Major media consortium, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Columbus Dispatch and others. (A similar primary debate offer also included the Dayton Daily News, Public Radio and TV and the Ohio News Network).

If Blackwell and Strickland agree to agree, several Enquirer readers have asked if any groups are inviting Green Party candidate Bob Fitrakis or Libertarian Bill Peirce to any debates?