Folks at the League of Women Voters aren't backing down in their attempt to get Republican Bob Taft to debate Democrat Lee Fisher one-on-one in their race for Ohio governor.
In order to participate in a debate, the league says candidates must win the support of at least 15 percent of those surveyed in a statewide poll. But Mr. Taft continues to insist he won't debate Mr. Fisher unless minor-party candidates are included.
The non-partisan group isn't buying Mr. Taft's argument.
"We want to present a meaningful discussion . . . between the candidates who have the greatest chance of becoming our next governor," said Anne Smead, the league's president.
"To dismiss the (debate) criteria at any candidate's request in any race would be viewed as a partisan maneuver," she said. "And that is in conflict with the league's mission."
If Mr. Taft refuses to change his position, the Oct. 8 debate likely will be called off.
Broadway backers at bat
Broadway Commons backers have another campaign event scheduled, Monday at The Phoenix.
The campaign will host Karle Seydel, the planner from Denver who helped conceive the location of Coors Field. That's the ballpark Broadway backers most often use as a model.
Mr. Seydel will speak about the success of Coors Field, and a half-dozen speakers will talk about the specifics of Broadway, said Cincinnati City Councilman Jim Tarbell, a leader of the Broadway effort.
The event, free and open to the public, will be 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at The Phoenix, Ninth and Race streets downtown, Mr. Tarbell said. The Broadway group sent out 2,000 invitations and is hoping for 100 people or more to attend.
The Campaign Notebook is compiled by Enquirer staff and runs Tuesday-Saturday.
