Storrs - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont switched campaign tactics Thursday, accepting an invitation to a head-to-head debate with Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy before their Aug. 10 primary.

Malloy, the endorsed Democratic candidate, has been accusing Lamont of dodging one-on-one debates and appearing only at issues forums, including one Thursday morning at the University of Connecticut, which also included the three Republicans and an independent gubernatorial candidate.

The two have debated one-on-one just once, last month on WVIT-TV. Lamont, a Greenwich businessman best known for challenging U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in 2006, declined to participate this month in a planned second TV debate, organized by WTNH-TV and The Day of New London.

But after Thursday's forum, Lamont said he was having a change of heart based on the recent tone of the campaign.

"We've got one more opportunity (to debate) next week," Lamont said. "Dan's gone heavy negative, and this may be the best way to respond."

Less than an hour later, he called WFSB-TV to accept an invitation to meet Malloy Tuesday in a debate that will be broadcast on that station, Connecticut Public Television and WNPR-FM radio.

The Republicans are meeting in a similar debate the next day.

Malloy said he is looking forward to the debate and challenged Lamont not to set any limitations on the questioning.

Malloy seeks open format

"I hope Ned will agree to a wide-open format that allows us to engage each other directly in a real conversation," he said.

Malloy and Lamont have been getting more personal and more critical in their campaigns.

A new ad from Malloy mentions a discrimination lawsuit filed against Lamont's cable TV company by an African-American former employee. Lamont said the lawsuit was settled amicably in 2003, and is the only one of its kind he has every faced.

Malloy's ad also accuses Lamont of paying himself a $500,000 salary while laying off workers, an ad similar to one Lieberman used during their 2006 U.S. Senate race.

Lamont, meanwhile, has accused Malloy of being at the helm while his city lost thousands of jobs. Malloy has said that 5,000 jobs were created during his 14-year tenure.

Thursday's forum before the Windham Regional Chamber of Commerce featured six gubernatorial candidates, who were allowed 30-second responses to questions on issues including the state's budget deficit and tourism.

Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele referred to it as political speed dating.

'More nuclear power'

Very little new came out of the forum, though endorsed GOP candidate Tom Foley responded to a question on high energy prices by saying the only long-term solution he sees is "the serious consideration of more nuclear power."

Foley also used his closing remarks to blast Fedele as a political insider who had a hand in creating the state's economic crisis.

Fedele, who served 10 years in the legislature and has served more than three as lieutenant governor, responded by saying he was the only candidate on the panel who wouldn't need on-the-job training.

"Gov. (M. Jodi) Rell is not going to be there to show you where the water cooler and coffee pot is," he said. "You're going to have to hit this ground running."

Also at the forum were Republican Oz Griebel, a Hartford-area business advocate, and independent candidate Tom Marsh, the first selectman of Chester.