Bob Casey in 2012 Penn. Senate Debates

On Civil Rights: Right ongoing wrongs in college admissions

Asked about wage disparities between men and women, Casey noted his support for a bill that would require employers to prove that differences in pay are not gender-related. He also noted he voted for a 2009 law that expands the ability of a worker to sue over pay inequity.

On Social Security: Stop these crazy proposals to put benefits in stock market

Casey's opponent, Republican Tom Smith, has said he'd let a temporary reduction in the Social Security payroll tax expire in January. He wants taxpayers to be able to divert Social Security taxes into private investment accounts. Smith also says future Medicare beneficiaries should have the option of getting a government check to help buy private coverage.

On Principles & Values: Optimistic there will be debates; but won't say so on record

Sure, everyone understands busy campaign schedules. Pennsylvania is a big state to travel around, and candidates do have to hold a certain number of fundraisers and meet and greets. But no debates?

You have to wonder whether either candidate wants to be accountable and accessible to the public if they will not even take time for a debate. When The Patriot-News Editorial Board reached out to the two campaigns Thursday, their answers were unimpressive.

"The race has been tightening for the past several weeks, and we are optimistic there will be a debate. Should anything be finalized I will let you know," wrote a spokeswoman for Tom Smith's campaign in an email.

Casey's team would not speak on the record, although it, too, expressed optimism there would be a debate. The responses are not reassuring, considering there are only 26 days left before Election Day.

On Principles & Values: Declined to respond to League of Women Voters questionnaire

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania said it is trying to arrange two debates between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Tom Smith, but nothing was final Wednesday. The league has even had trouble getting responses from Smith and Casey for its voters' guide, said the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania: "This has been one of the toughest years yet to get information out of people."

On Health Care: Shift $700B from Medicare to ObamaCare, but no senior funds

Smith's suggestion that Casey voted to cut Medicare is a reference to provisions in President Barack Obama's health care law that phase in reductions in reimbursements to hospitals, insurance companies and other service providers but aren't cuts that hit seniors directly. Ryan's Medicare plan would keep the cuts, while Romney would undo them.