Sandoval debate claim a fib, Reid camp says
If Brian Sandoval is negotiating debate plans with opponent Rory Reid he hasn't bothered to tell Reid about the discussion, a Reid campaign spokesman said.
On Tuesday Sandoval, the Republican nominee for governor of Nevada, told two television interviewers debate negotiations are underway.
"We are in discussions right now, the two campaigns," Sandoval told Nevada NewsMakers hosts Sam Shad and Ray Hagar. "We are going to debate three times this fall."
Not so, said Mike Trask, spokesman for Rory Reid.
"There have been no discussions between Brian Sandoval's campaign and anyone with our campaign," Trask said.
More pointedly, Trask said Sandoval has been avoiding debate challenges even as Reid has agreed to at least 10 debates between now and election day Nov. 2.
"Brian Sandoval has ducked and dodged and hidden from every debate challenge that has been issued by Nevada media or by any citizens group," Trask said. "He has not accepted one debate. Not a single one."
Sandoval said Saturday at the Republican convention in Las Vegas and again Tuesday on Nevada Newsmakers he would agree two three debates, one each in southern, northern and rural Nevada.
The claim Tuesday that the two campaigns were in talks was new.
"Brian Sandoval has absolutely hidden and refused to accept any debates with Rory Reid in the state of Nevada," Trask said.
Watch Sandoval on Nevada NewsMakers below, the debate remarks start at the 15 minute mark.
