BALTIMORE - With two weeks left until the election, voters will finally get to see at least two televised debates between the U.S. Senate nominees. The campaigns are clear about why there haven’t been more: It’s the other guy’s fault.

Spokesmen for Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and Democrat Rep. Ben Cardin both say the other camp has turned down several major opportunities. Green-Libertarian-Populist nominee Kevin Zeese, who has the most to gain from debate exposure, said, “That’s what Cardin always says. The only one dragging their heels is Cardin.”

News Channel 8, based in Rosslyn, Va., will tape a three-way debate to be televised 4 and 11 p.m. Wednesday on cable in the Washington suburbs, but Maryland Public Television will also broadcast the hourlong debate at 7 p.m.

The three men will participate in a debate sponsored by the Charles County NAACP at 7 p.m. Thursday in a Waldorf church. Steele had turned down a debate at the state NAACP convention in Baltimore on Saturday. Steele spokesman Doug Heye said Steele “wanted to make sure as many voters throughout the state as possible were going to be able” to see them debate.

The first three-way debate took place Oct. 3 at the headquarters of the Baltimore Urban League.

Cardin and Steele, but not Zeese, will appear together with Tim Russert on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. Cardin spokesman Oren Shur said that Steele’s “debate strategy is consistent with the way he’s run his campaign — avoid discussing issues at all costs.”

It was Steele who sent letters to Cardin and Zeese the day after the primary, suggesting a number of debates. Cardin said he agreed, but Zeese and Steele said that it was Cardin’s staff who held up discussions.

Shur said there were perhaps 30 debate invitations, and Steele did not participate in several major opportunities. Heye said Cardin said he would debate “anytime, any place” but he’s “lied to the voters in Maryland,” and ruled out a number of dates.

Zeese said he is still hoping for three more radio debates based on outstanding offers, but neither Heye nor Shur were hopeful they would occur. Despite the dispute, compared to campaigns in other states, Heye said, “we’re having a lot.”

“They are accusing each other of being special interest candidates, and they’re both right,” Zeese said.