U.S. Rep. James Langevin carved out time to tape a joint appearance with Mark Zaccaria, his Republican challenger in the 2nd Congressional District, on Channel 10’s (WJAR) Sunday morning Political Roundtable. It aired last weekend.

But Rhode Island’s 1st District Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed have refused Channel 10’s request to appear in this televised question-and-answer format, in a campaign season when they have taken part in no debates with their challengers.

There has been no response over two days from the Kennedy or Reed staffs to questions about why they have not agreed to the TV appearances.

Channel 10 news executive producer Suzanne Nadeau-Beever said she has tried since Sept. 23 to set up half-hour segments dedicated to each race, using a question-and-answer format moderated by reporters Jim Taricani and Bill Rappleye.

Nadeau-Beever said she offered Kennedy “several dates” and his staff at one point suggested this week might be workable, but then said, “Sorry, we are booked.” Yesterday, she reported that Reed’s campaign has also “now declined our invitation for a joint candidate appearance on our Political Roundtable program.”

The two back-to-back half-hour shows will air starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, but without the incumbents who have raised and spent millions seeking to win reelection.

One will feature Kennedy’s Republican challenger Jonathan Scott and independent Kenneth Capalbo, both running against him a second time. The other will feature Reed’s Republican challenger Bob Tingle.

kgregg@projo.com