Number of debates debated by gubernatorial hopefuls [Connecticut Post, Bridgeport]

Sept. 08--With less than eight weeks to go before Election Day, the gubernatorial race will stop at the University of Connecticut campus in Stamford Wednesday for a discussion on jobs and the economy.

Republican Tom Foley, the former ambassador to Ireland, and Democrat Dannel Malloy, the former Stamford mayor, aren't expected to directly engage each other during a morning program on their visions for the state economy.

But their proximity will underscore both the start of the political season and the sniping back and forth over the number of joint appearances they'll make before Nov. 2.

Malloy's campaign on Tuesday criticized Foley for agreeing to only six debates. Foley's campaign team said that Malloy's staff failed to discuss details of other debates.

Malloy said he's accepted 19 invitations.

"Tom Foley is playing games with these debates -- and in his games, he thinks he can play by his own rules," said Malloy. "I've agreed to do every debate that's been put on the table, for one simple reason: I have a fundamental belief that voters should hear as much as possible from both candidates about our ideas, our experience, and our vision."

At this point, Foley has also agreed to three other forums, including today's event at UConn/Stamford.

"The bottom line is this: the next Governor of Connecticut will be our first new governor in a long time," Malloy said in a statement. "It's a big, important choice for the state to make. What better way to help them make that choice than to stand next to one another on a stage and tell people why we think we're best qualified to be Governor?"

"The Malloy campaign has refused to talk to us about the details," said Liz Osborn, Foley's communications director.

So far the duo will appear at the Channel 3/WNPR debate on Oct. 19 in Rocky Hill; The Hartford Courant/Fox CT debate on Oct. 5 in Hartford; The New London Day/Channel 8 event on Oct. 13; NBC 30 on Oct. 26 in West Hartford; the NAACP in Stamford on Oct. 29; and a radio event on WPLR FM 99.1 at a date to be announced.

They will also appear at forums sponsored by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities on Oct. 6 in Hartford; Wednesday's event in Stamford; and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment's Gubernatorial Debate in New Haven on Oct. 18.

Wednesday's forum will be held in conjunction with a symposium co-sponsored by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and UConn.

The forum will take place between 8:30 and noon in the GenRe Auditorium on the ground floor of the main building of the Stamford campus. The event will coincide with the release of a UConn analysis of state job growth, transportation, its ability to compete and its challenges facing a huge budget deficit.

Chester First Selectman Tom Marsh, the Independent candidate for governor who has successfully petitioned himself on to the fall ballot, was not invited to participate.

"It's a struggle, but not an unforeseen struggle," Marsh said in a Tuesday interview, adding that he has been invited to three debates and a forum. He said that the League of Women Voters was in the process of vetting his candidacy for possible inclusion in other debates.

"There's still opportunity out there," he said.

But most debate sponsors are ignoring Marsh and his lieutenant governor running mate Cicero Booker, a Waterbury alderman, even though they are both elected officials. "They seem to be falling into the history of promoting the major parties, which are responsible for where we are now," Marsh said.

To see more of the Connecticut Post, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.connpost.com/.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544)