Senate candidates elsewhere have already started debates

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- While Missouri's U.S. Senate candidates haggle about whether to share a stage before October, voters in other states with hot Senate races have already seen candidates side by side.

Incumbent Democrats in Minnesota and South Dakota have debated their November opponents twice, with more forums expected. In Arkansas, the incumbent Republican senator, running behind in polls, squared off in late August on statewide TV with his Democratic challenger.

In Missouri, Democratic Sen. Jean Carnahan and Republican challenger Jim Talent have agreed to just one debate, an Oct. 24 media-sponsored faceoff in Columbia.

Both have accepted offers from St. Louis media for a second debate -- but they disagree about the dates.

Talent, eager to share the stage early, is insisting on holding it Sept. 19. Carnahan, saying she won't leave Washington before the Senate quits work around Oct. 4, has accepted any of three October dates.

Talent's campaign said it has accepted debate invitations from every part of Missouri -- and one from outside the state, an offer to appear from Washington Oct. 6 on NBC's "Meet The Press."

Carnahan campaign adviser Tony Wyche said that offer was "under consideration" by Carnahan.

Debates in other states have been colorful. For example, an Aug. 30 event at the Minnesota State fair pitting Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone against GOP challenger Norm Coleman evoked so much nasty audience jeering, the moderator had to urge the crowd: "Be polite."

The Minnesota candidates are expected to debate seven or eight more times before the Nov. 5 election.