COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Democratic candidate for governor, Lee Fisher, and his Republican opponent, Bob Taft, on Friday continued to disagree over the format for debates.
Mr. Fisher on Thursday agreed to appear in a debate proposed by the Toledo Blade that would have included Reform Party candidate John Mitchel. But Mr. Taft insisted that the Natural Law Party's Zanna Feitler, on the Nov. 3 ballot as an independent, be included in the Oct. 22 debate.
Mr. Fisher wants to face Mr. Taft one-on-one. Mr. Taft said he won't debate unless two minor-party candidates are included. Both campaigns restated their positions Friday. Fisher campaign chairman Alan Melamed said a three-way debate would be satisfactory, but Mr. Fisher and Mr. Taft wouldn't have enough time in a four-way discussion.
Taft campaign manager Brian Hicks said Mr. Taft, as secretary of state, insists that all candidates on the ballot be included.
