GOP Senate candidate Bob Schaffer is challenging rival Democratic candidate Mark Udall to a series of seven “Lincoln-Douglas style debates around Colorado between Memorial Day and Labor Day,” according to a letter released today by Schaffer campaign manager Dick Wadhams.

In an e-mail, Wadhams said the “letter was "personally handed to Udall by Schaffer” at the Southeast Business Partnership [1] luncheon today. [See the text of the letter below.]

A statement from Udall supported the concept of debates with Schaffer, but suggested that the debates "we do should allow us to answer questions from the people of Colorado about the issues that are most important to them, but Bob's proposed events do not." [See full statement from Udall below.]

Already, TV host Aaron Harber has announced a " target="_blank"> 24-part series [2] on Colorado's U.S. Senate race. Udall and Schaffer will appear, but not at the same time.

The famed debates between Lincoln and Douglas of 1858 are echoing this political season. The style of debating has no moderator.

Hillary Clinton challenged Barack Obama [3] to such debates last month before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries. Obama declined.

In February, Mike Huckabee challenged John McCain [4] to a Lincoln-Douglas style debate during the GOP primaries. That didn’t happen, either.

“The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of formal political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for one of Illinois' two United States Senate seats. Although Lincoln lost the election, these debates launched him into national prominence which eventually led to his election as President of the United States,” according to a National Parks Service Web site [5] that documents the seven debates.

“When a man hears himself somewhat misrepresented, it provokes him - at least, I find it so with myself,” said Lincoln during the first debate. “But when misrepresentation becomes very gross and palpable, it is more apt to amuse him.”

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May 9, 2008

The Hon. Mark Udall
4346 Prado Dr.
Boulder, CO 80303

Dear Mark:

The election this November to decide who will serve as Colorado’s next U.S. Senator is extremely important. As such, I hereby propose to you the following:

You and I should engage in a series of seven Lincoln-Douglas style debates around Colorado between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The intentions of so many outside and independent groups to have influence on the outcome of our contest have been well stated. I do not regard these outside efforts to be a healthy trend in America’s political system and I know you hold a similar
opinion.

These anticipated interferences demand you and I find bold ways to remain in charge of our campaigns and our contrasting messages. I think you’ll agree that holding our own debates, on our own terms, focusing on issues upon which we agree to debate is a sensible strategy. It is a strategy that will allow both of us to more thoroughly clarify our campaigns, but most of all it will benefit voting Coloradans.

You and I should discuss the issues important to voters in a series debates this summer. There will be many other traditional debates and forums in the fall sponsored by many organizations but I don’t think Colorado voters should have to wait.

Let’s start now by agreeing to a set of seven Lincoln-Douglas style debates around the state – one in every Congressional District – between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Let’s give voters in every part of the state a chance to hear directly from us on the issues important to them and to our state. We can agree on the topics in advance and then all we need is a time keeper for each debate. Our campaigns can work out the details.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the debates between U.S. Senate candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. In 1858, they debated seven times around the state of Illinois, two hours at a time.

In the spirit of those historic debates let’s have our own series of seven debates this summer across Colorado to discuss the issues important today. I think these debates could be the high-water mark of the campaign and perhaps renew a national and historic standard of campaign civility.

I hope you agree and I respectfully request that you consider this offer and respond by Friday, May 16th so we can get the ball rolling.

Very truly yours,

Bob Schaffer

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[Response from U.S. Rep. Mark Udall on debate proposal.]

“I’m looking forward to a strong and substantive series of debates in this campaign. I firmly believe that the debates we do should allow us to answer questions from the people of Colorado about the issues that are most important to them, but Bob’s proposed events do not. I hope in the coming weeks that we can work together to develop a schedule of debates for the summer and fall that reaches every corner of the state and gives Coloradans an important role in the process. I’m pleased to see Bob taking an interest in discussing the issues with Coloradans; he could start by answering simple policy questions from reporters and putting information about his positions on his website.”