09:18 AM EST on Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Secretary of State Matthew Brown wants to debate the Iraq war with his opponents in the three-way Democratic primary race for Republican Lincoln D. Chafee's U.S. Senate seat.

But it remains unclear how much of a debate he might get.

Brown's position on Iraq? When he first announced his candidacy in February 2005, he said: "We've got to finish the job there, which means making sure the country is stable -- that it is not a breeding ground for terrorists." Now, he wants "a timetable" for bringing "all of the American troops home [from Iraq] by the end of 2006."

Opponent Sheldon Whitehouse also wants a "clear plan and timetable" for "a rapid and responsible withdrawal of our troops."

But, in a statement earlier this week, the Brown camp questioned why former Attorney General Whitehouse had not joined the 7,000-plus who signed the "petition," calling for an Iraq exit-plan, on the Brown-for-Senate Web site.

"This is a time when we need leadership, when we need people who are going to stand up and say what they believe," Brown said Monday.

Adding that he already had two potential locations lined up -- the Cranston Portuguese Club and the Woodlawn Community Center in Pawtucket -- for a Nov. 22, Dec. 1 or Dec. 3 debate, Brown asked his opponents for a response by 5 p.m. tomorrow.

But the only taker is the latest entrant in the Rhode Island U.S. Senate sweepstakes: one-time state Senate candidate Carl Sheeler, a former Marine.

Sheeler, who also favors a phased withdrawal, said he viewed the debate as an opportunity to probe Brown's own "depth of understanding and sincerity." He surmised Whitehouse "would agree, but only after first receiving advice from his D.C. political advisers and taking polls."

But Whitehouse did not pick up the gauntlet.

He "will participate in a number of debates, just as he has in past campaigns," said Whitehouse spokesman Michael Guilfoyle. But he will not do so on the dates Brown proposed because "quite frankly it makes far more sense to debate in an election year."

"There will be plenty of time for debates on a wide range of issues," including Iraq," Guilfoyle said. "Matt Brown will not dictate how we run our campaign."

By Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau