With the August congressional recess in Washington, D.C., and candidates on home turf, the fall campaigns got off to what has become a typical start -- invitations and challenges to debates.

Debate challenges recently went out from U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, D-Hazard, to Incumbent Republican Jim Bunning on a variety of issues, including health care, veterans' benefits and jobs.

However, Bunning has reportedly refused to agree to a debate in each of the state's six congressional districts, and has turned down debate requests from at least three major television stations, according to Mongiardo's campaign releases.

Closer to home, State Senate Candidate Barry Cannon, D-Caneyville, has asked Republican Candidate Carroll Gibson to join him in touring the 5th District in a series of debates.

Cannon said in a news release that he asked for two debates in each county between now and November 2.

"We are duty bound as candidates participating in our democracy to share our hopes, visions and ideas with the voters of this district..." the letter said.

But Carroll, back Thursday from a swing through Hancock County on Wednesday, said "scheduling 12 debates this late in the campaign is impossible."

Carroll said he's "not evading debates, but my schedule's simply too full between now and election day with just getting out there and talking to people one-on-one."

Besides, he said, two months would be too little time even to get the word out on debates.