{news} CT Governor Debate of the debates Coverage

[Green Party-CT]

                                09/08/2006    Rell, DeStefano sparring over debates     By Keith M. Phaneuf , Journal Inquirer 
          Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democratic challenger John DeStefano Jr. are sparring over their debate plans - specifically, over whom to invite.

Rell's campaign said this week that the governor wants both minor-party gubernatorial candidates, Green Party nominee Clifford Thornton of Manchester and Concerned Citizens candidate Joseph A. Zdonczyk of Wolcott, included in every forum.

        The DeStefano camp says that since neither minor-party nominee has demonstrated any significant support - financially or in the polls - at least some of the debates should be limited to Rell and DeStefano.

"The governor said all of the candidates who are going to be on the ballot ought to be involved," Rell campaign spokesman Rich Harris said. "This is something she believes in very strongly."

DeStefano, the mayor of New Haven, narrowly won the Democratic nomination with an Aug. 8 primary win over Stamford Mayor Dannel P. Malloy.

DeStefano has a lot of ground to close against Rell, who has been incredibly popular since she succeeded ex-Gov. John G. Rowland in July 2004, according to recent polls.
Quinnipiac University's polling institute reported on Aug. 17 that Rell leads DeStefano among likely voters, 64 percent to 32 percent.

The poll also found that Rell has a 73 percent approval mark. Though it is down form her record-setting 81 percent mark reached last February, it remains higher than all other Connecticut officials and candidates covered by the Quinnipiac poll.

That poll didn't mention Thornton or Zdonczyk but did ask voters if they would support someone else other than Rell or DeStefano, or if they didn't know whom to support at this point.

That survey reported 4 percent saying they didn't know whom to support and 0 percent picking someone other than Rell or DeStefano.

"It would be unfortunate if the governor were using third-party candidates as a smokescreen to avoid one-on-one debates and policy discussions" that would allow voters to focus exclusively on the differences between herself and the New Haven mayor, DeStefano campaign spokesman Derek Slap said.

The two campaigns are just beginning negotiations on debates and Slap said he's hopeful some of the planned forums will feature just the major candidates.

Slap also said most debate sponsors, such as voter advocacy groups and television stations, normally insist upon a much greater degree of public support than Thornton and Zdonczyk have achieved before allowing such campaigns to participate.
"I hope the governor is not going to insist on something that's really unprecedented," Slap added.

Neither the Thornton nor Zdonczyk campaigns could be reached for comment early today.

Harris rejected the argument that Rell is hoping to expand the debate field to minimize DeStefano's chances to speak at these forums.

"We want to get the ball rolling and we want to have debates," Harris said
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