Sue Lowden has declined to appear with three of her peers on Ralston’s Face to Face this week.  The story, as told in Tweets and emails (times provided):

@RalstonFlash @ 12:00: F2F having some Reid opponents on this week for a forum. Both Lowden and Tarkanian are refusing to appear, w/different, transparent excuses.

@RalstonFlash @ 12:01 – Tarkanian just wants a one-on-one with Lowden, while Lowden is trying to hide, apparently, for as long as she can, from any to and fro.

@RalstonFlash @ 12:02 — Both frontrunners seem content to put out daily news releases attacking Reid or each other, but state of GOP field evident in avoiding ?s.

Tarkanian campaign @ 12:20 (via email) – “We just clarified with Jon.  We will appear with all candidates; that is fine.  But as long as Sue is there, too.  She appears to want everyone else to be in the fray while she tries to glide above it.  She should attend.”

Tarkanian campaign @ 1:42 (email) — “We will be there Wednesday.”

@RalstonFlash @ 1:47 – Tarkanian changes mind, says “will enthusiastically participate in this 1st televised joint candidate forum, despite Sue Lowden’s refusal.”

Lowden campaign @ 3:53 (email) – “Sue Lowden will be spending Wednesday as she spends every day on the campaign – conducting town hall meetings, giving speeches, appearing on television and radio programs, meeting with volunteers, and discussing her proven record as a job creator and conservative state senator. We have had numerous town hall meetings across Nevada already, and we plan on dozens more. The host of the show in question wanted to invite a select few Republican candidates for a ‘forum’, but it appears that many were left out. Sue Lowden has appeared on Jon’s show before and she may agree to appear again. More importantly, she is eager to debate her primary opponents once we know who officially files for office – so long as the format treats each candidate fairly. That begins by ensuring all candidates are invited so they can share information on their backgrounds, qualifications and positions on the key issues.”

Lowden’s campaign can do what they think is best, of course, but it hardly seems realistic to expect that Ralston would have all 11 candidates on his show at the same time.  I believe Ralston has had all but one or two of the U.S. Senate candidates on Face to Face over the past couple of months, so I don’t see that he has given preference to “select” candidates.

In the case of this week’s show, I’m guessing the maximum reasonable number for a TV panel discussion is four and that Ralston invited the four candidates who raised the most money in Q4, which seems as fair a way as any to decide.

I’ll post updates as I get ‘em.  Or a new headline and post, if one is warranted.