What if they held a debate and only one person showed up?
That looks like the case next week as Democratic gubernatorial contender Dannel Malloy may receive one hour of free television time because his opponent, Ned Lamont, says he will not be debating.
The contest is scheduled to be broadcast at 3 p.m. on August 3 on WFSB, Channel 3, and on the radio at WNPR, along with rebroadcasts later that night.
Lamont can always change his mind over the next week, but he says he has already participated in more than 25 joint appearances over the last several months around the state.
He intends to participate with other gubernatorial candidates in the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce's breakfast forum Thursday at a hotel on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs.
Lamont said in an interview that he prefers a detailed discussion of important issues, rather than 30-second or 60-second responses that are traditionally required in televised debates.
"You end up with a lot of talking points,'' Lamont said. "I like the sort of unlimited give and take, which is what I do in these town forums. ... It's a real conversation. It's not one- or two-minute answers. I love mixing it up.''
Malloy, though, said he is hoping that Lamont changes his mind and arrives in the Channel 3 studio in Rocky Hill, where the organizers will have a lectern ready until right before the debate.
"Most politicians would love to have an hour of TV time to themselves. I would not,'' Malloy said in an interview. "I would want Ned to be there. I would prefer that he be on the stage.''