Joel Connelly of the Seattle PI says Democrat Maria Cantwell is taking "a diva's approach to debates" with Republican challenger Mike McGavick:

The Cantwell campaign loftily ignored McGavick's proposal that the two debate each other in all of the state's nine congressional districts. It has alternately stiff-armed and snubbed a bevy of civic and good government groups who have offered neutral forums.

One outfit -- the Bellingham City Club -- is refusing to be cowed.

"Unless the Cantwell people say 'yes' by Sept. 23rd, we'll announce to our 240 members that their October program will feature only one Senate candidate because the other candidate won't come," said Andy Anderson, ex-KVOS-TV news director.

"It's been frustrating as hell for us, but that's the way she likes to operate, I guess," added Anderson, who has worked for two Democratic congressmen.

Cantwell has so far agreed to a single debate, Oct. 12, before the Spokane Rotary Club. A Western Washington debate is likely to be finalized today. Cantwell apparently turned down a consortium led by The Olympian newspaper yesterday.

An unholy trinity of shopworn excuses is used to cover the senatorial fanny.

Read the whole thing. Cantwell's reputation for being difficult (to put it politely) is well known, but her behavior is hardly surprising. Unfortunatey, it's now a time honored tradition for politicians - usually incumbents but in some cases challengers who find themselves out in front like Bob Casey in PA - to play hide-the-ball when it comes to debates to keep from "elevating" their opponents by engaging with them and also to avoid putting themselves in situations where there might actually be an outbreak of spontaneity. Along with acute gerrymandering, it's one of the disappointing realities of the current political system.