Bush agrees to 3 debates with Democratic opponent

ORLANDO -- Gov. Jeb Bush has agreed to participate in three debates with his to-be-determined Democratic challenger, his campaign said Thursday.

Bush's potential Democratic opponents had mixed reactions.

The front-running Janet Reno won't commit to any general election debates until after the Sept. 10 primary, said Nicole Harburger, a spokeswoman for the former U.S. attorney general.

Tampa lawyer Bill McBride, who challenged Bush to a debate this week in a television ad responding to Republican TV spots attacking him, was not reluctant. "Tell him I want more than that," he said at an afternoon appearance in Tallahassee.

Added Alan Stonecipher, a McBride spokesman: "Let's get ready to rumble."

State Sen. Daryl Jones, who trails his counterparts in the primary, said through campaign manager Anita Bonds that he had not committed to a debate. "But if the Republicans have committed, then I'm very sure that Sen. Jones welcomes that opportunity," she said.

The first debate would be Sept. 27, tentatively in Jacksonville. It would be sponsored by Florida News Network and moderated by Michael Putney, senior political reporter for WPLG-TV in Miami.

Organizers have scheduled a second debate in Orlando on Oct. 15, moderated by a panel of journalists and sponsored by Florida Radio Network.

The final debate would be Oct. 22 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, with Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press moderating. The Orlando Sentinel and WESH-TV are sponsors.

"These are the same three debates that were agreed to in '98 between the Bush campaign and the (Buddy) MacKay campaign," Bush spokesman Todd Harris said. "We're following the precedent set in '98."

The debates' formats have been determined, Harris said, but the details aren't ready for release.

The three Democratic candidates are scheduled for a televised debate Tuesday in Palm Beach Gardens.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright