Presidential hopeful Bill Bradley has stepped up to the plate after Vice President Al Gore pitched his proposal for a series of debates.

Gore issued the challenge of weekly debates during his speech at the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner held in Des Moines Oct. 9. Gore said he felt holding debates with Democratic opponent Bradley “would demonstrate to Republicans and really show the American people how a campaign should be run.”

At the time the challenge was issued, Bradley made no commitment to the debates.

“Any strategic or tactical move by the vice president does not always affect decisions we make,” said Tony Wyche, deputy press secretary for the Bradley campaign.

However, on Tuesday, Bradley announced his decision to participate in seven debates and joint-appearances with his opponent.

Two of the seven scheduled debates will be held in Des Moines. “We like to see both candidates in Iowa debating the issues that are important to Iowans,” said Shannon Tesdahl, communications director for the Democratic Party of Iowa.

On Jan. 8, the two will participate in The Des Moines Register Debate, and on Jan. 17 they will participate in the Brown and Black Forum.

“I think we felt these were two that would give the public a chance to see the views held by Vice President Gore and Sen. Bradley,” Wyche said.

“I think debates are important in the overall nomination process,” Tesdahl said. “It’s one way voters can get information on the candidates and for undecided voters to get a look at what the candidates have to say.”

The race for the nomination is getting closer in Iowa, according to a recent poll that shows Bradley is gaining on Gore.

A poll commissioned last week by KCCI in Des Moines shows 43 percent of Iowan Democrats likely to participate in the upcoming caucuses support Gore, while 40 percent support Bradley. Seventeen percent were undecided.

This is a big increase for Bradley who, last June, held only 24 percent of the support vs. Gore’s 64 percent. Twelve percent of those who participated in The Des Moines Register poll were undecided.

“For a lot of undecided voters, in what looks to be a tightening Democratic caucus, the debates could play a big role,” Tesdahl said.