Eric Kleefeld September 10, 2010, 10:35 AM

Jon Ralston, one of the biggest names in Nevada political journalism, is hopping mad with Republican Senate nominee Sharron Angle, accusing her campaign of dishonestly canceling a scheduled debate with Harry Reid, after Ralston had worked hard to arrange it.

When Angle appeared in late June on Ralston’s show, Face to Face, she challenged Reid to come on the show alongside her for a debate. Ralston clearly liked the idea, and worked to nail down a future date with the two campaigns. He then announced last night on his Twitter account that the event would be held on October 21 — only to follow up by saying that Angle’s team was pulling out.

Ralston’s tweets from last night tell the humorous story. First there was this:

So you thought there would only be one #nvsen debate? Not so: Reid and Angle have now agreed to debate on F2F on Oct. 21 in Reno. #gameon

However, it was quickly followed about an hour later by this:

Thought I had seen it all in #nvsen, tweeps: Just got a call from Team Angle spox. Now he says they are not agreeing to debate. #shootme

This this:

Dep campaign manager for Angle had given me green light. Reid folks had agreed. Now a spox can overrule? What planet am I on? Awaiting word.

Then this:

Remember “Scanners” where people’s heads exploded. That’s how I feel right now. This is a Senate race, not a competition for h.s. president.

Let there by no doubt — Scanners is an awesome movie, and that final psychic confrontation between Stephen Lack and Michael Ironside sure has some high drama.

Then this:

How Angle’s people can now argue, after she challenged Reid on F2F and her campaign aide agreed, that she won’t do the debate is…extreme.

Oh, it gets better. Via his email list and his Twitter account, Ralston then complained that Angle had put out a press release announcing a “debate” with Reid for September 23 — hosted by the Christian Business Network, Business Women for Christ, Media Fellowship International, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. (That audience couldn’t possibly be slanted in favor of Angle, could it?)

Ralston sent out an email:

Truth: There will be no “free-flowing debate” because Reid won’t even be there. He already taped a Q and A for the group and will be in DC. Angle will be there but will be alone answering questions from a moderator. Not a debate.

So, Team Angle, now that everyone knows what you are doing — putting out this release to try to deflect attention from backing out of the “Face to Face” debate, how about agreeing to what you had said you would and what your candidate is on tape saying she wanted?

The TPM Poll Average currently puts Reid ahead of Angle by 47.6%-44.3%.

2010 elections, Harry Reid, Jon Ralston, NV-SEN, Senate '10, Sharron Angle