Good morning.

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With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, campaigns are moving into high gear: rallies, speeches, white papers, bus trips and television advertisements. Oh, and debates. Except, perhaps, in the two highest-profile statewide races in California: governor and U.S. Senate.

After weeks of negotiation, the candidates in those races have yet to agree on any televised debates. Instead, there is the inevitable back and forth about who is to blame for this deadlock.

Debates can be an effective way to compare candidates, particularly as they field questions from independent panelists and one another.

The fact that none have been scheduled in the governor’s race is, in part, the result of the overwhelming majority Democrats have in the state. Gavin Newsom, the lieutenant governor and the Democratic candidate, has in most polls a substantial lead over his Republican opponent, John Cox, a business executive. From a political perspective, he has little incentive for a debate that would give the little-known Mr. Cox attention and stature. And even the most experienced candidates can make a mistake in a debate; why take a chance?