Another interesting moment in The Peabody Debate on Friday involved Cong. Boozman’s challenge to debate Sen. Lincoln in a town hall-style meeting.

Boozman, who has cited scheduling conflicts for not debating more often, proposed that Lincoln meet him for a town hall style debate that could last "three or four hours."  Lincoln, who has called for more debates accepted the offer, assuming details between the campaigns could be worked out.

Today, Talk Business has learned that the Lincoln campaign is amenable to more debates and will propose a town hall-style debate in each congressional district.

Lincoln will also encourage the participation of Independent Trevor Drown and Green Party candidate John Gray.  Lincoln’s full challenge is listed below in which she accuses Boozman of ducking other forums for the two candidates to meet.

Boozman issued a letter in response to Lincoln’s latest offer.  In it, he said that he felt Lincoln "misconstrued" his invitation to join him at an open, town hall meeting:

The stipulations were clear: two microphones, two chairs, and two candidates on a stage without notes answering unscreened questions from Arkansans at a pre-publicized, town hall forum.  
 
No tickets, no reserved seats – it’s first come, first serve, and we stay until all questions are asked.
 
I’ve hosted over 40 open-forum events across the state of Arkansas since starting my campaign, and I look forward to you joining me for your first.

You can read his full letter here. 

UPDATE: Lincoln’s campaign released this statement today:

After declining at least seven invitations from non-partisan organizations to join Senator Blanche Lincoln in a candidate forum or debate, Congressman John Boozman used one of his questions during Friday’s Talk Business/Fox 16 debate to challenge Senator Lincoln to an additional debate.

Today, Senator Lincoln welcomed the opportunity and said, "Why stop at one?"  

"I’m delighted that Congressman Boozman has changed his mind and would like to hold an additional debate," Lincoln said.  "In fact, I propose we schedule the town hall-style debates like he proposed in each congressional district so that as many Arkansas voters as possible have the opportunity to examine our records alongside one another.  I look forward to the Congressman’s reply."

Lincoln suggested that college campuses would be ideal locations for the candidate debate series and she welcomed the participation of Independent Trevor Drown and Green Party candidate John Gray.

Congressman Boozman has agreed to only two debates (Talk Business held September 10 and AETN’s upcoming debate on October 13) but has declined the following debates/candidate forums, including three in his own congressional district.  His campaign has given various and often conflicting excuses. Senator Lincoln has accepted all invitations listed below.

Arkansas Economic Developers Forum, Hot Springs, August 24
Boozman’s excuse after initially accepting the invitation: We thought each candidate would speak separately.
 
University of Arkansas Student Government Association Debate
Boozman’s excuse: We’re only doing two debates.
 
Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders Candidate Debate hosted by the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Boozman’s excuse: Will only have one debate in each congressional district and already committed to do the University of Arkansas debate.
 
KFSM-Channel 5 and The City Wire Debate in Fort Smith
Boozman’s excuse: Not sure he can make it.
 
El Dorado Forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the El Dorado News-Times and Noalmark Broadcasting
Boozman’s excuse: Schedule is booked.
 
Pulaski County Bar Association candidate forum in Little Rock
Boozman’s excuse: He’ll be in D.C.
 
Associated Press debate in Little Rock
No Response from Boozman