Pennacchio is a non-factor.  Since Casey wll be the nominee, he needs to be focusing on challenging Santorum, not worrying about a primary opponent who will get trounced.

There are 2 possible reasons (since I don't really have a horse in this race...even if I do feel that the Pennacchio people are being way self-righteous about this):

1.  It's pretty darn early.  I don't know what time Pennsylvania's primary is but wouldn't it make sense to have the debate in the actual year of the primary (assuming the primary isn't in February or something).

2.  He doesn't need to.  Right now Pennacchio is relegated to the "minor candidate" cage and if Casey debates him then there is a chance that he'll break out of that while  the gain for Casey is minimal.

Is this another Pennachio supporter?  I'm sorry but the man just isn't ready for this kind of a race.  Please tell him to start out as a state rep or something first.  He's out of his league here.  I'm sorry, he seems like a really good guy......but we're talking very high stakes here.

an opposing candidate in an election, they do not agree to debate the opposition.  It only give the other person more exposure, and recognizes them as anything but a negligible candidate.

This is an accepted and usual stratedgy.  Totally common.  No, it does not make Casey an evil person (see I am a mind reader).  It is used in every election by every frontrunner, especially if the other candidate is not even on the radar scale.

One reason is that the more another candidate get to be known, the more money the frontrunner has to spend to oppose.  Why on earth would you recognize an unknown oppostion candidate and give them publicity.  Bad politics.  Not saying it right.  Just saying it's bad practice for someone like Casey to debate him.

In any way repersents how Pennacchio or his supporters operate, then I hope he gets his ass kicked by Casey, but good.