One of 3 Iowa Gov Debates will be in CR - Updated

Terry Branstad's campaign says he'll accept three debates with Gov. Chet Culver, including an Oct. 7 rumble in Cedar Rapids.

Here's the news release:

Branstad accepts three debate invitations

(URBANDALE) – The Governor Branstad 2010 campaign today announced that it will accept three general election debate invitations against Gov. Culver this fall.

“These three debates will offer statewide coverage to the people of Iowa, and showcase the real choice that exists in this election,” said Branstad 2010 campaign manager Jeff Boeyink. “Gov. Branstad looks forward to sharing his positive vision for job creation, balancing Iowa's state budget and restoring Iowa's leadership position in education. We are excited to participate in these three debates.”

The debates accepted by the Governor Branstad 2010 campaign are as follows:

1. Lee Enterprises/KCAU-TV/WQAD-TV Gubernatorial Debate. Time and date to be determined. Sioux City, IA

2. The Cedar Rapids Gazette/KCRG-TV 9 Gubernatorial Debate

Thursday, October 7, 2010, 7 p.m. Cedar Rapids, IA

3. Des Moines Register/Iowa Public Television Debate

October 21, 2010, Noon, Iowa Public Television Studios, Johnston, IA

Boeyink added that the campaign looks forward to one as-yet-determined debate between the lieutenant governor candidates as well.

UPDATE -- Culver's camp has now weighed in. Feisty. Someone's behind in the polls.

STATEMENT FROM CULVER/JUDGE CAMPAIGN ON BRANSTAD'S ACCEPTANCE OF DEBATES

Des Moines – Culver/Judge Communications Director Ali Glisson released the statement below in response to the Branstad Campaign's acceptance of debates:

“This race is about offering a choice to Iowans. Do we want to continue moving forward with the Culver/Judge Administration? Or, do we want to turn back with Terry Branstad and repeal programs like preschool and the Iowa Power Fund and cut programs like Hawk-I.

“Debates allow both campaigns to make that choice clear to Iowans. Once voters learn about Terry Branstad's extreme positions compared to the mainstream positions of Governor Culver on issues such as jobs and preschool and after the people of Iowa see both candidates debate, we are confident that they will overwhelmingly support Chet Culver for re-election.

“What is also concerning is that the Branstad campaign has offered no assurances that these debates will be open to the press and the public.

“Remember, this is the same campaign that thought it was acceptable to not mandate that all of their primary debates were open to the press and the public. We believe that any Iowan who is interested should have the ability to attend a debate and that the press must have access.

“We are happy that they have agreed to debates and this is a good start. We look forward to discussing the details further with the Branstad campaign and with the various debate sponsors.”

Glisson is referring to the first GOP primary debate last spring in Sioux City, which was originally closed to the news media so the TV stations sponsoring it could tape it, hold it and play it at a later date. Plenty 'o outcry led the stations to back off  and to offer a a live online feed.

I'm not expecting a repeat of that fiasco this fall.