Tolbert: Debate Over Debating – Cotton vs. Pryor

There has been a bit of a behind-the-scenes debate over when, how, and how often to debate in the U.S. Senate race between Cong. Tom Cotton and Sen. Mark Pryor.

A string of press releases continued today from the Cotton for Senate campaign saying that he has accepted a third debate invitation and continues to call on Pryor to do the same.  According to the release, Cotton has accepted a debate with three of the major television stations in the state – including content partner KATV, KARK, and KAIT (in Jonesboro).

Cotton not only wants debates, he wants “Lincoln-Douglas” style debates, which are more open-style debates with the candidates directly addressing and asking questions to one another.  In April, Cotton called for five such debates around the state.

“I’m ready to give the people of Arkansas the debate they deserve in this race for U.S. Senate, and I want to thank the stations who have extended these opportunities to allow the voters to see and hear from both candidates. It’s time for Senator Pryor to stop refusing to debate and defend his record of supporting President Obama 90% of the time,” said Cotton.

So I asked Pryor’s campaign whether he had accepted any of the debate invitations or had any upcoming debates in the works.

“As we’ve said all along, these candidates will debate on statewide television because Arkansans deserve answers from Congressman Cotton for his votes against seniors, women, students and families recovering from devastating storms,” said Pryor spokesman Erik Dorey.  “It’s been months since Congressman Cotton last held an open press conference with Arkansas reporters, choosing instead to skip key events for his congressional district to woo his billionaires backers behind closed doors in California luxury.”

I am not sure that really answers the question.  It sounds like Team Pryor is open to the idea of debates, but does not want to nail down the small details… like a date.