WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Jean Carnahan and her challenger, Republican Jim Talent, may have the opportunity to debate before a national audience.

NBC's "Meet the Press" has invited them to square off on the weekly news show.

Talent said Wednesday he accepted the offer. Carnahan's campaign spokesman said she was considering the invitation.

Executive producer Betsy Fischer said the show has issued invitations to candidates in about a dozen states. But because only six Sundays are available, debates probably will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The plan is for candidates to debate in a conversational format, seated next to each other. The show's host, Tim Russert, will moderate. The show is considering Oct. 6 for the Missouri candidates, based on Talent's offer, Fischer said.

For several months, Talent has been pressing Carnahan to debate him. Carnahan has agreed to two late-October debates.