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U.S. Senate candidates, for the first time in years, won't participate in a debate sponsored by The Oregonian and KGW. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., agreed to the debate in August, but his Republican opponent, pediatric neurosurgeon Monica Wehby, wouldn't agree.

The plug was pulled Friday on a planned televised debate featuring the U.S. Senate candidates after Republican candidate Monica Wehby refused to participate.

The debate, to be sponsored by KGW TV and The Oregonian, had been set for Oct. 23, and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley had agreed in mid-August to participate.

At this point, the two candidates have accepted just one debate: on Oct. 14 in the studios of KOBI TV in Medford. Merkley campaign manager Alex Youn blasted the Wehby campaign, saying that "Clearly Monica Wehby understands that her anti-middle class agenda won't stand up to scrutiny."

UPDATE: Wehby spokesman Dean Petrone called it a "ridiculous assertion" that Wehby was trying to avoid debates. "We'll make a decision to attend the debates that best fit with the campaign schedule," he said, adding that Wehby wants to "get out there and tell Oregonians how grossly incompetent Jeff Merkley has been" on economic and health care issues.

There was no immediate comment from the Wehby campaign. Her spokesman, Dean Petrone, said in an email to KGW before the noon deadline set by the television station, "We're keeping all options on the table and will ultimately make a decision that works best with the campaign's schedule."

Rick Jacobs, KGW's executive news director issued this statement:

"We are very disappointed that Dr. Wehby refused the offer by KGW and The Oregonian to debate Senator Merkley.

The Oregonian and KGW have a long-standing tradition of letting voters hear directly from the candidates so they can make an informed choice when they cast their vote. I can't recall a major candidate ever refusing our offer to debate."

The Oregonian and KGW for several years have joined in sponsoring televised debates in the Senate and gubernatorial races, with candidates typically eager to debate because of the broad exposure they get.

Wehby also turned down a proposed KGW/Oregonian debate with Republican primary opponent Jason Conger, saying that her schedule was full. While she debated Conger before the City Club of Portland, that debate was not televised live.

In the primary, there was little incentive for her to give Conger the exposure since she was leading in polls and had much more money to advertise on television. In her fall campaign against Merkley, however, she is behind in the polls, and he has had copious political advertising.

Jim Moore, a political science professor at Pacific University, said Wehby's refusal to accept the KGW/Oregonian debate "goes against everything we know challengers ought to do -- have as many debates as possible."

He said that her refusal to participate in this debate doesn't give her any more leverage to get Merkley to commit to other forums while leaving the impression she is not interested in debating.

-- Jeff Mapes