Good reason to dodge debate

In a race that has been consistently punctuated by the latest attack, many in Illinois want to talk about the issues - unemployment is over 10 percent, the budget deficit is increasing and, as Blago continues to traipse in front of any available camera, the character of Illinois politics remains the punch line of late-night TV.

Let's remember that if it were up to Republican candidate Mark Kirk, many of these issues would have been addressed as early July when he proposed seven debates, starting in Ottawa to discuss foreign policy. While Alexi Giannoulias has recently agreed to face Kirk for two debates, voters will have to wait until October.

If I were Alexi I would probably dodge a five-term congressman and foreign policy expert too. Especially, when the only experience Alexi can draw from is his indisputable record of failure as state treasurer and the long line of criminals he counts as business partners.

Ashley Palmer

Naperville