Political Clippings

The Anchorage Daily News reports that Mark Begich, the frontrunner in the race for the Democratic Senate nomination in Alaska, is pushing Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, to engage in a series of debates, including one before the Aug. 26 primary. Stevens, who has been in the Senate since 1968, has six primary opponents. Begich, the Anchorage mayor, has two. Stevens’ campaign said the senator isn’t going to discuss possible debates before each party knows which candidate it will field in November. Begich’s spokeswoman, meanwhile, said: “We’re anticipating the race for this seat is between Mark Begich and Ted Stevens.”