Blago says No Debate with Green Candidate

Nicole Sack writes in The Southern Illinoisan Greens say it's a go; Blagojevich says no: "The Green Party gubernatorial hopeful Rich Whitney said he 'can practically guarantee' his place on the November ballot - claiming the Greens have upheld 1,000 more signatures than legally required for ballot access. . . . He said all that is left is for the State Board of Elections to verify the findings on Sept. 1.

Also according to Sack:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he is primed and ready to debate Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka - just so long as there are no Greens on stage. Blagojevich said the upcoming fall debates should be left to the political professionals.

When asked if he would pull out of a debate if a Green was also invited, the governor had only this to say:

"Let me put it to you this way: we've offered a series of 12 to treasurer Topinka. Our offer is to debate her one-on-one." And added, "I'm interested in debating (Topinka) in 12 debates. I sure hope she's not looking for some excuse to get out of these debates."

The Topinka camp said it is not looking for any excuses to get into another debate about debates - nor to make up excuses.

"We're willing to debate anyone," said John McGovern, spokesman for the Topinka campaign. "We believe it is up to the debate sponsors and organizers to determine who's invited and who participates."

Blagojevich and Topinka have both committed to a debate in Marion, sponsored by The Southern Illinoisan, WSIU Public Television and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIUC. Whitney has not been invited so far.

Looks like it's up to the Public Policy Institute, after some nudging from The Southern Illinoisan's editorial page.