Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Murphy Healey has been demanding a 1-on-1 debate with Deval Patrick, who is now leading her by more than 20 points in their race for Governor of Massachusetts. She wants to exclude Christy Mihos, a hometown Libertarian, and Grace Ross, the Rainbow-Green Party candidates. (Both poll about 8% between them, but they've been fine agitants in the three debates to-date, needling both candidates on their lapses and getting in some good zingers.)
It turns out that a Roxbury civic group is happy to host a 1-on-1 debate--in fact, they've extended 3 invitations so far, and Patrick has accepted. The problem? Healey is trying to live down her notorious black-rapist-lurking-in-a-parking-garage ad. There wouldn't be awkward questions that she's trying to avoid, would there?