Longshot Congressional challengers seek debates to boost chances

When you don't have much money and you don't have the pulpit of incumbency it can be difficult to make your voice heard.  The simplest solution, for those in the underdog role, is to seek debates with one's opponent. Just ask Hillary Clinton as of February 5, 2008.

It is no different here in Washington. In the last week, two Congressional challengers have issued calls for a series of public debates with their opponents.

7th District Republican Steve Beren did so in person Saturday at a public forum, handing him an open letter asking for a series of summer debates much like the three they had in 2006.

Beren said that McDermott told him, "Well, I'm sure that during the campaign there will be chances for us to be on the same forum." 

East of the Cascades, 4thCD candidate Don Moody (D-Wenatchee) proposed a series of four televised primary debates between him and his fellow challenger George Fearing (D-Richland) Last week in his daily newsletter to supporters and media.

So far neither series has been established.