Mass. Gov Calls For 8 Debates With Rivals

Gov. Deval Patrick is proposing eight debates with his rivals in the governor's race — one per week between Labor Day and the November election.

Patrick, a Democrat, made the proposal in an interview with WATD-FM in Marshfield, which the station released Tuesday.

The governor said he wants the campaign to be about issues, not sound bites. He said the debates should be held in locations throughout the state.

Rick Gorka, spokesman for Republican challenger Charles Baker, said the campaign is standing by a proposal it made in late spring for five televised debates — four in Boston, one in western Massachusetts.

Independent candidate Timothy Cahill's spokeswoman Amy Birmingham said Cahill wants eight debates "at the very least" and would welcome more.

One televised debate has been scheduled, on Sept. 8 on WBZ-TV.