GOVERNOR'S RACE Youngstown proposed as home of first debate

Three of the five would be held in Columbus, the other in Cincinnati.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The campaigns of Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell and Democratic candidate Ted Strickland are working on dates and times for potential debates.
Blackwell, Ohio secretary of state, is proposing to Strickland's campaign five dates and locations around the state in the next two weeks in the hopes of finding some common ground.
"He threw down the gauntlet, I'm picking it up," Blackwell said at an appearance at the Ohio Hospital Association annual meeting.
Strickland, meanwhile, has asked David Wilhelm, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, to work with the Blackwell campaign on potential debates.
Proposed dates
Blackwell, on Monday, proposed the following dates and times to the Strickland campaign for possible debates:
UThursday, June 15, Youngstown, 9-10:30 a.m.
UMonday, June 19, Cincinnati, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
UTuesday, June 20, Columbus, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
UWednesday, June 21, Columbus, 4-5:30 p.m.
UThursday, June 22, Columbus, 1-2 p.m.
Blackwell campaign officials say each week Blackwell will issue a new list of proposed dates and times to the Strickland campaign.
Or, the Strickland campaign could propose dates, Blackwell campaign officials said.
In a statement, Strickland, of Lisbon, D-6th, said he's pleased about the opportunity for debates with Blackwell.
"Ted certainly believes it would be viable to debate this summer, if possible," campaign spokesman Keith Dailey said. "It's a victory for all Ohioans who care about the issues."
In addition to formerly chairing the DNC, Wilhelm was campaign manager for President Clinton's 1992 campaign. Wilhelm is the founder of Adena Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Ohio.
During the 2002 gubernatorial campaign, GOP Gov. Bob Taft debated Democratic candidate Timothy Hagan three times. Taft won that election. This year's general election is Nov. 7.
XThe Associated Press contributed to this report