He Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Debates. Foley Won’t Show at NBC Connecticut and Courant/Fox61 Events.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tom Foley will not participate in pre-convention televised debates with his gaggle of opponents. The former ambassador, whose been in the political equivalent of a witness protection program for the past three years, is concentrating on sleepier Republican town committee forums. According to campaign spokesman Chris Cooper, Foley has declined invitations to take part in two debates, one sponsored by The Hartford Courant and Fox61, the other by NBC Connecticut.

Foley had only close finishes in 2010 after abandoning a race for the U.S. Senate for the contest for governor. He eked out a victory on the first ballot at the Republican convention during the dubious switch period. Foley had a long night as ballots were counted during the August 2010 primary, as he maintained a narrow lead over surging Michael Fedele. That year’s fall contest was in doubt for several days as vote totals shifted and moved in and out of the shadows. Foley concede six days after election day drew to a close.

Debating was not one of Foley’s strengths as a candidate. Some spring training might assist him for the main event in the fall, should he be the Republican nominee. Republican delegates and primary voters might conclude that a timid nominee is not the right choice to lead the party, unaffiliated voters, and thousands of disaffected Democrats into the bruising fall campaign to reverse the state’s decline.