Kennedy Sprints Toward Nov. Election

When Joseph P. Kennedy II, the Democratic candidate for the 8th congressional district, addressed an AFL-CIO convention in Boston on Thursday, one union official urged members not to just "lay back" as the general election drew near.

"Let's finalize this with a pretty good vote," said Arthur R. Osborn, the group's Massachussetts chairman.

Osborn's instructions to convention-goers sum up the Kennedy campaign's approach to the November general election. In one of the nation's most heavily Democratic districts, Kennedy's post-primary campaign looks nothing like a horserace.

Kennedy's supposed rival for the seat, Republican Clark Abt, was nowhere to be found when Kennedy addressed the convention.

In fact, Abt has based his bid for office on his low profile, but he blames Kennedy for that low profile.

In radio advertisements and at press conferences, Abt has blasted Kennedy for refusing to meet him head-to-head. Because of Kennedy's refusal, Abt says, the voters of the 8th are being denied a choice for who will succeed the seat being vacated by House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr.

The Democratic candidate's camp has issued Abt an ultimatum, saying Kennedy will debate Abt for no more than two hours.

Abt said Thursday that two hours of debate is insufficient and that he believes Kennedy is trying to avoid challenges.

"I stand ready, willing and able to debate Joe Kennedy in any place," Abt said.

While the debating about debates continues, Abt and Kennedy have yet to clash directly.

An hour-long debate is scheduled for the Youville Hospital in Cambridge Friday, October 10.

Another is to take place at Boston's Bentley College on the following Tuesday.

The first debate is to focus health care for the elderly; the second will be a more general discussion, said Kennedy Campaign Manager Chuck McDermott.