Just in case it wasn't clear to those listening to the first broadcast mayoral debate Tuesday, let it be said for the record: Courtis Fuller did not show up.

        Of course, that much was clear to anyone listening to the 90-minute debate on WLW-AM (700). Mayor Charlie Luken mentioned it at least four times.

        “I want to bemoan the lack of our fourth candidate for a bit,” Mr. Luken said midway through the debate. “I think it's important that we face the voters and not duck, just because the format is uncomfortable.”

        The format consisted mostly of tough questions from the moderator, talk show host Bill Cunningham, who delivered them in his customary brash and opinionated style.

        He asked independent Michael Riley what he's done in life that could possibly qualify him for elected office.

        He asked Bill Brodberger, also an independent candidate, about whether a man with theft and drunken driving convictions could lead the Police Division.

        And he asked Mr. Luken why voters should elect a mayor who has presided over what he called an “unprecedented” decline of the city, and who he said showed little leadership during the April riots.

        “Some in the media said you were like Mayor Nero while Cincinnati burned,” Mr. Cunningham said.

        “You said that, Willie,” Mr. Luken responded.

        “I may have,” Mr. Cunningham said. “It took you two or three days to react in a strong sense. ... Do you believe that you were acting as a weak mayor?”

        “The answer is no. I did the right thing,” Mr. Luken said. “All those people who are criticizing me today, do you know how many I heard from when this was happening? None.”

        When Mr. Luken wasn't defending his handling of the riots, he was debating Mr. Fuller's proposals — if not Mr. Fuller — saying they would “literally double the tax burden” on Cincinnatians.

        Mr. Fuller, the Charter Committee candidate, could not be reached Tuesday. His campaign had said that he wanted to spend his time — now six days before next Tuesday's primary election, which will narrow the field to two candidates — talking to voters.

        Mr. Cunningham suspected a different reason.

        “He thinks I'm a conservative talk show host, and I'll ask tough questions that he will not be able to answer,” he said after the debate.

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