At long last, Gov. Bob Holden has agreed to debate his Democratic primary challenger Claire McCaskill in two broadcast meetings July 19-20. The two will debate in Kansas City and then the following day in St. Louis. No word on any debate in the rural area of the state but that's probably expecting too much.
The Holden camp - as is always the case with an incumbent - has been reluctant to share the spotlight with McCaskill. The two have been offered other opportunities to meet and McCaskill has had the stage to herself. But the pressure was clearly increasing for Holden to face McCaskill at least in a limited schedule prior to the August primary.
By sharing the stage, Holden gives the McCaskill camp credibility, though from her showing thus far, McCaskill can hold her own in the credibility category. More importantly, the pundits say, Holden is less than impressive in front of an audience while McCaskill is silky smooth. I doubt that too many minds will be changed based on a debate performance but it does open doors for both candidates.
Holden's campaign handlers remain hushed about any other debates and given the limited time remaining, don't look for the two Democratic hopefuls to meet face-to-face in any venue other than St. Louis and Kansas City. Holden's camp isn't completely shutting the door on future debates but most observers doubt others will be scheduled unless there is a bombshell in the two planned confrontations. That could change the dynamics. But it's a longshot at best.
The Democrats will be walking a fine line when they meet. They want to wound their opponents without creating major damage that could impact the November showdown with Secretary of State Matt Blunt. That doesn't mean either side will be pulling any punches. But it's a delicate balance and both sides know it, though there's little love lost in either camp in regard to their opponent in August.
The urban debates will be made available for broadcast in outstate and hopefully, some television outlet will carry the slugfest. It would be more interesting for outstate voters if a debate were held in Springfield or Cape Girardeau and the topics were limited to issues that directly impact rural Missourians but the voting numbers show the concentration of Democratic voters is in the urban areas. And everyone knows you go to the pond where the fish are biting.