{Kentucky}...Monday, Governor Steve Beshear skipped a televised debate with gubernatorial challengers Republican David Williams, longtime president of the state Senate, and Independent Gatewood Galbraith, a Lexington attorney. Beshear's absence allowed Williams and Galbraith to voice unanswered criticism of the incumbent in the debate that was broadcast statewide on Kentucky Educational Television, while claiming Beshear has failed to improve education, which was the exclusive focus of the debate. Beshear spokesman Matt Erwin says Beshear has two debates with Williams and Galbraith scheduled for next month. One will be hosted by Kentucky Educational Television and the other by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association and the Kentucky League of Women Voters. Erwin says Beshear looks forward to discussing education, as well as all issues that are of importance to Kentucky families and businesses, at these debates. By avoiding such face-offs, Beshear is following a tactic not uncommon among political front-runners. Recent polls show Beshear more than 20 percentage points ahead.
