Tom Ledue, a Democrat running against Rep. Tom Allen in the Democratic Senate primary, said that Allen had rejected their calls for debates on television and radio.

"I don't know why Tom Allen would decline a chance to speak about his positions on issues that are impacting Mainers. If he truly desires to represent all of Maine, we have the right to hear what he has to say about the rising poverty rates in the state, the devaluation of the U.S. economy, and the degradation of our Constitution," said Ledue's campaign manager, Bob Doak.

Carol Andrews, Allen's spokeswoman, said that their invitations were on dates when Allen would be in Washington. They offered some dates on Saturdays, but Andrews said those were all taken until late June - well after the primary.

Allen's decision is hardly surprising. Frontrunners rarely want to debate because there is not much to gain and only gaffes to be made.

On another note, Ledue raised $18,000 and loaned himself $20,000. I have his campaign finance report and I'll look at it more closely to let you know who has given and how the money has been spent.

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