Casey Finally Agrees to Debate Pennacchio and Sandals

It's about freakin' time. Casey has been dodging debates left and right. According to State College's own Centre Daily Times (well, really the AP):

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The three Democrats competing for the nomination to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum have tentatively agreed to square off in two debates before the primary.

The format of the debates - April 8 at Slippery Rock University and April 19 at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster - and other details are still being negotiated, the three campaigns said Thursday.

State Treasurer Bob Casey, the front-runner in the May 16 primary race, had originally said he would participate in only one debate. Casey's campaign agreed to two debates at the urging of the debate sponsors, said campaign manager Jay Reiff.

"We are holding time on our schedule right now for both debates while we work out the details," he said.

Chuck Pennacchio, a professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and a campaign spokesman for Philadelphia pension lawyer Alan Sandals concurred, although Sandals' spokesman Randy Schulz voiced frustration over the pace of discussions.

"The Casey campaign is a lot less cooperative than they present themselves to be publicly," Schulz said.

The debate in Slippery Rock, about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, is sponsored by the North Hills Democracy for America chapter and other local Democratic groups. The Lancaster debate is sponsored by Franklin & Marshall College.

You know what's really amazing about this article? The AP refers to Casey as the "front-runner" instead of the "Democratic challenger." FINALLY, they realize that Pennsylvania has a primary election for the US Senate. Hazah and kudos!