No debates in Stabenow-Hoekstra race

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (AP) - It now appears there will be no debates between Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican challenger Pete Hoekstra.

Stabenow's campaign said Thursday it's giving up on arranging debates because Hoekstra refuses to accept an arrangement that has been used in all of Michigan's Senate races since 1996. It included two debates broadcast on public television -- one before the Detroit Economic Club and the other at Grand Valley State University.

Hoekstra wanted as many as six debates that would be shown over network television.

His campaign said Thursday that Hoekstra was willing to participate in both of the traditional debates plus others but Stabenow refused to set terms. Hoekstra said Stabenow was afraid to defend her record, while Stabenow's spokesman said Hoekstra was interested only in making political attacks.