Senate debate at still sitting on table

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A nationally televised debate from the Southeast Missouri State University campus between the two major party candidates for U.S. Senate is still under discussion but not yet a certainty.

A representative of C-SPAN, a public affairs cable television network, told university officials in March that it would carry a debate this fall between U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, a Democrat, and her Republican challenger, former congressman Jim Talent.

Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins said he is hopeful both campaigns will accept the university's offer and can agree to a date.

"We are just waiting for them to look at their schedules and see if it fits in," Dobbins said.

C-SPAN, which is available in 85 million American households, has agreed to carry the debate live, if possible, or tape-delayed in prime time, if not.

Talent has already accepted the university's offer.

"Jim Talent would love to do it," said campaign spokesman Rich Chrismer. "He had a great time in the last one."

Talent and Democrat Bob Holden debated at Southeast during the 2000 Missouri governor's race.

Carnahan campaign spokesman Dan Leistikow said the senator is still considering Southeast's invitation, as well as those from other organizations around the state interested in playing host to the candidates.

"It is something she is very interested in," Leistikow said.

Both candidates have agreed to debate on Oct. 24 at Columbia College in an event to be sponsored by the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editors, the Missouri Society of Newspaper Editors and the Columbia Daily Tribune. However, Lloyd Smith, Talent's campaign manager, said the two camps still have to agree on format.

In addition to the Cape Girardeau and Columbia debates, Talent has accepted invitations to participate in five other candidate events. Carnahan has not yet made any such commitments.

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