As far as Democrat Bill Orton is concerned, Gov. Mike Leavitt said yes to a debate next month at the Utah Education Association convention.
"We're going with, 'We've got a debate now,' " said Marla Kennedy, Orton's campaign manager, who last Friday sent out a news release saying Leavitt had agreed.
That's not what the Leavitt camp nor the UEA is going with. There will be no debate.
The UEA said Friday it did not extend an invitation to the candidates to debate during the Oct. 5, 6 conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
"This has become a political football, and we're not interested in politicizing our convention," said Susan Kuziak, UEA executive director.
Leavitt, a Republican whose re-election bid has UEA support, will give his scheduled speech to the state's 19,000-member teachers' union. Nothing more.
"Orton is simply misconstruing what the governor said," Leavitt campaign spokesman Mike Mower said.
At the end of the Utah League of Cities and Towns debate last Thursday, Orton challenged Leavitt to an hour-long debate on education issues at the UEA convention. Leavitt was noncommittal, saying the two candidates would have plenty of chances to discuss education. But after being pressed by Orton, Leavitt eventually said, "OK, let's do it."
Mower said Leavitt agreed to an hour-long debate on education, but not at the UEA conference.
"Clearly the tape says and the governor said, 'We will debate you at UEA,' " Kennedy said. "We're taking the governor at his word. We extended the invitation and he accepted. Now, we've just got to work out the logistics."
In a Sept. 14 letter, Orton thanks Leavitt for agreeing to the contest and asks him to contact the UEA and "make the request to convert your speaking time to debate time."
Leavitt and Orton are scheduled to go head-to-head 11 more times in various forums prior to the Nov. 7 election.
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