Hopes for a U. S. Senate Debate Still Alive

In less than two months voters head to the polls to decide whether Republicans will take a U. S. seat in Michigan for the first time in years.  But while the two candidates to replace outgoing Democratic Senator Carl Levin have been at an impasse in coming to agreements on debates, it looks like hope is not yet over.

The Detroit News is reporting today that Republican Terri Lynn Land has chosen an adviser to negotiate at least one televised debate with Democrat Gary Peters.

The article identifies him as Lansing attorney Richard McLellan, a confidante of former Governor John Engler.

McLellan will now work with those in the Peters' camp along with Detroit television station WXYZ to make it happen.  The news came in a statement from the Land campaign issued today.

"Terri is ready to hold Peters accountable for his hypocrisy on everything from immigration and Wall Street to pet coke and the war on women,"  Land spokesperson Heather Swift is quoted as saying.  "Gary Peters wanted this debate--let's have it!"

Peters' camp picked former Democratic Lt. Governor John Cherry weeks ago with the intent of hammering Land down on a face-to-face Q&A session. Nothing came of it.

Recent polls have shown Peters gaining the edge in the race.  The last survey with a double-digit lead over Land, which is well beyond the margin of error.

Join Jo Anne Paul weekdays for news updates on 99.1 WFMK-FM, 100.7 WITL-FM and 1240 WJIM-AM and the other stations of the Michigan Talk Network 

joanne.paul@townsquaremedia.com