Dole appears at broadcasters' convention

ASHEVILLE — Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole had an audience of N.C. broadcasters to herself this morning after turning down a chance to debate her opponent, Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan.

Dole spoke to around 150 members of the N.C. Association of Broadcasters at the Grove Park Inn, Jim Morrill reports.

The group invited both Senate candidates to debate. Hagan accepted, Dole did not. But she got an invitation to keynote today's convention.

Wade Hargrove, the association's longtime attorney, said Dole was invited in her role as a U.S. senator, not as a candidate.

"The U.S. government has direct regulatory authority for the broadcast industry," he said. "We would have invited her whether there was a campaign or not." 

More after the jump.

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Dole spoke about broadcast issues, including those involving the advent of digital TV. But most of her remarks were devoted to issues such as energy, taxes and housing.

For example, she called for attacking high fuel prices both through conservation and increasing oil supplies in part by allowing off-shore oil drilling.

On energy and other issues, Dole said, "We need to put politics aside."

Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan wasn't ready to do that.

"It's not surprising to us in the least that Elizabeth Dole would choose not to participate in a statewide televised debate," she said today. "There would no doubt be questions about high gas prices, record home foreclosure rates, college affordability and healthcare, none of which she's actually made any sort of real progress on for the people of North Carolina over the last 40 years she's been in Washington."

Dole, who's had one forum with Hagan, said later that she's not avoiding debates.

"We're looking at all sorts of forums," she said. "It's just a matter of selectivity."

Hargrove said the association also invited the state's two major gubernatorial candidates, Republican Pat McCrory and Democrat Beverly Perdue, to debate this weekend. McCrory accepted but Perdue declined.

"They all make their strategic political judgments and that's fine," Hargrove said. "We provide the opportunity."