DENVER -- Republican Gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis says he will debate incumbent Gov. Bill Ritter.

In an e-mail to media, the McInnis campaign said an e-mail from Ritter's campaign manager David Kenney stated, "Scott McInnis refuses to debate substantive issues."

McInnis' campaign manager, George Culpepper Jr., sent a reply stating that McInnis will debate Ritter any time, "The sooner, the better."

McInnis said it himself in at a GOP Gubernatorial forum Tuesday night when he said, "I will debate the governor any time. I will debate him on the jobs lost in our state every day, from now until Election Day."

Culpepper said he sent a letter to Kenney about the debate issue and included a copy to the media:

November 3, 2009

David Kenney Ritter for Governor P.O. Box 13648 Denver, CO 80201

Mr. Kenney: On October 31, 2009 Governor Ritter sent out a fundraising email stating Scott McInnis will not debate ("Scott McInnis refuses to debate substantive issues."). This is simply not the case.

In fact, we accept the Governor's challenge to debate him any time. And furthermore, insist that your campaign be honest and now inform the readers that McInnis accepts Ritter's challenge to debate. The sooner, the better.

We hope now that you have issued this challenge, you will not back away.

I will call you personally to arrange a schedule.

Sincerely, George Culpepper, Jr. Campaign Manager

P.S. Any time!!!!!