Obama refuses Clinton debate challenge

INDIANAPOLIS, April 27 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama refused a challenge from rival Democratic presidential contender Sen. Hillary Clinton to a one-on-one debate, representatives say.

"I'm offering Senator Obama a chance to debate me one-on-one, no moderators. ... Just the two of us going for 90 minutes, asking and answering question. We'll set whatever rules seem fair," Clinton, D-N.Y., said.

In an interview Sunday with Chris Wallace of Fox News, Obama, D-Ill., said there have been enough debates in the presidential contest so far, CNN said.

"I'm not ducking one. We've had 21," Obama said. "We want to make sure we're talking to as many folks possible on the ground taking questions from voters."

Obama spokesman David Axelrod told reporters Saturday debates have taken up "a full work week of time already ... and we have 10 days, nine days left to meet voters in two important and large states."

"We want to use our time in that way. I don't think the public is clamoring for more debates," he added.

Voters in Indiana and North Carolina hold their primaries May 6.