When they go to the polls for the Aug. 10 primary, Democratic voters should hold it against Ned Lamont that he is unwilling to participate in further televised debates with his primary opponent in the race for governor, Dan Malloy.

Lamont's refusal to debate suggests that he is basing decisions on what his handlers contend is the best approach to maintain his popularity. That's the last thing Connecticut needs right now. We've seen how that works.

Molding policy with a close eye on poll numbers was a strategy, expertly guided by Chief of Staff Lisa Moody, which well served Gov. M. Jodi Rell (politically, at least) for a very long time. But it did not serve the state well when the economic and budget crises emerged. In hard times a good leader has to be ready to sacrifice political capital and make unpopular decisions. Gov. Rell would not do it, so she appeased the legislature and left the fiscal calamity to her successor.

Ahead in the polls and with plenty of money to spend on slick commercials, Lamont has opted for political expediency - sit on his lead and don't risk looking bad in debates.

The strategy could backfire. Voters may question whether a candidate who runs from debates in an effort to get elected is up to the task that awaits the next governor.

On the other hand, voters could dismiss it as typical election strategy. And, who knows? Maybe, if elected, Lamont will take the problems head on. Maybe, once in office, Lamont will be prepared to make difficult and dislikeable decisions against his own political interests.

But perhaps not, voters just don't know, and that's why many welcome opportunities to take a measure of candidates in debates.

All that voters do know is that Lamont is chickening out from a couple of televised debates. And you have to ask; if he is not ready to go toe-to-toe with the guy he is running against for the Democratic nomination, is Lamont ready to take on powerful legislative leaders, tough-as-nails state union negotiators and entrenched interest groups? For that matter, will he be ready to take on the Republican nominee?

This Tuesday The Day and News8 had planned to team up to present what would have been the only televised debate between Malloy and Lamont in front of a live audience, at the Garde Arts Center in New London, scene of some great debates over the past couple of decades. But after Brian Coy, Lamont's press secretary, took part in pre-debate negotiations, the candidate declined.

There will be an hour-long debate on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Garde between the three gubernatorial candidates competing for the Republican nomination - Tom Foley, Oz Griebel and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.

In addition to debating the best approaches to create jobs and get the state budget under control, differences are also likely to arise between the GOP candidates over the state's public campaign financing program. Foley contends the Connecticut Elections Enforcement Commission should not have awarded Fedele $2.4 million in campaign funding, arguing he did not meet the criteria. State courts, including the Supreme Court, sided with Fedele, who maintains Foley's real motivation is to prevent anyone from competing with him financially.

The only one-on-one televised debate between Lamont and Malloy took place June 22, telecast by WVIT NBC30 from its studio, with no audience. The two Democrats were not far apart on the issues, and no one seemed to score a damaging blow, but Lamont's handlers must have had negative focus group results. At times Lamont appeared antsy, while Malloy, the former mayor of Stamford, seemed at ease and, well, gubernatorial.

In any case, the Lamont camp apparently made the decision that their guy should not again share a stage or studio with Malloy. Lamont also turned down an Aug. 3 debate invitation made jointly by WFSB Channel 3 and CPTV. Organizers of that event say they will go ahead with just Malloy, resulting in an hour-long press conference. Conversely, The Day and WTNH canceled their plans when Lamont pulled out, concluding there is no such thing as a one-man debate.

Lamont's official reason for not debating - he wants to spend the time campaigning and meeting voters - rings so hollow as to be insulting.

Meanwhile, some tickets remain for Wednesday's, three-way Republican debate, available at the Garde box office, The Day's downtown New London office, and at the Groton, Waterford and Otis (Norwich) libraries. Viewers can also watch it live on WTNH sister station, MyTV9.

Paul Choiniere is the editorial page editor.