Ed Martin Continues to Publicize Debates That Were Never Confirmed

Republican contender Ed Martin isn't backing down from the political debates he says he scheduled with Congressman Russ Carnahan -- even though it's doubtful that Carnahan's campaign ever agreed to the dates.

In an email blast this morning (viewable below), Martin says the debates against Carnahan scheduled for the next three Tuesdays of August are still a go. Moderating the face-offs will be Martin's good friend, former Donnybrook host Martin Duggan, a man who's made radio ads endorsing Martin.

Martin's continued trumpeting of the debates prompted Carnahan yesterday to question the veracity of his challenger.

"The press release that my opponent put out, claiming that three debates had been scheduled with me was a total and complete lie and fabrication," Carnahan told KMOX.

As Carnahan's staff told Daily RFT on Tuesday, the congressman in July asked the non-partisan League of Women Voters to setup September debates between the candidates for Missouri's Third Congressional District and is waiting for the organization to draw a schedule.

This week Martin's press secretary, Theresa Petry, provided Daily RFT a letter dated August 4 proposing dates in which Martin wanted to debate Carnahan. Petry says the letter was mailed out on Thursday, August 5. Four days later -- after not hearing back from the Carnahan campaign -- Petry put out the press release suggesting that the dates were confirmed.

Today's email from Martin...