CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : CALIFORNIA : Wilson Again Urges Feinstein to Debate

Republican Sen. Pete Wilson, criticizing gubernatorial opponent Dianne Feinstein for her absence from the campaign trail, suggested in a letter that they publicly debate twice during October. In a letter he sent to Feinstein’s press office, Wilson suggested that debates be held Oct. 7 and 17. “My negotiators await, as do the voting public of California,” Wilson said. A spokesman for Wilson said the senator has no preference as to the sponsorship, location or format of any debates. “We just haven’t gotten that far,” said spokesman Bill Livingstone. Wilson first suggested debates in February, and renewed the invitation the night of the June 5 primary. Feinstein, in a letter back to Wilson, said that if Wilson “was really interested in debates,” he should call her campaign manager. The Democratic nominee is on vacation at Northern California’s Stinson Beach.