Ill. governor race: No broadcast debates

The race for governor in Illinois between Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich and his Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka will not have any further debates. Last week in downstate Decatur the two participated in a radio debate. Unless the situation changes between "Blago" and Topinka, the next 29 days will be debate free.

From the Chicago "free registration required" Tribune:

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka criticized each other for the lack of progress toward broadcast debates that had been in the planning stages for months.

The two contenders will sit down for an on-the-record discussion Tuesday before the Chicago Tribune editorial board, which will apparently be their last face-to-face session prior to the election.

"For seven months, nothing but delays, excuses, complaining and then refusing to accept our offers," the first-term governor said before stepping off at Chicago's annual Columbus Day parade at Columbus and Balbo Drives. "I think she'd much rather complain and make excuses about debating and not debating rather than actually having a debate."

But Topinka, who with Blagojevich and Mayor Richard Daley was part of the front line of parade dignitaries, contended the governor's campaign team repeatedly sought to change debate dates and times, which made the forums impractical to schedule.

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