"We are thrilled to be able to do this," said Rabbi Robert Orkand yesterday morning.

The string of debates started Oct. 4 and will continue until Thursday, Oct. 19.

When the debate schedule was announced, the Temple Israel leader insisted it wouldn't be fair for a religious organization to exclude any candidates.

So incumbent Republican Christopher Shays and Democratic Party challenger Diane Farrell will be joined by Libertarian Phil Maymin and the Green Party's Richard Z. Duffee.

The debate at Fairfield University's Quick Center Monday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m., will also feature all four candidates.

In some of the earlier debates, the Green Party was excluded because, in the eyes of some debate sponsors, it lacks sufficient resources and a broad appeal.

Duffee and Maymin were profiled in Wednesday's Westport News.

According to Duffee, the fact that the U.S. believes that in order to keep our place in the world and to serve American interests, it is necessary to have 725 military bases in about 120 countries when we only have about 4.7 percent of the population that there is on earth, is truly shocking.

In an interview, Maymin said he believes it is time for third-party representation because he doesn't see a difference between his Republican and Democratic foes. However, tough talk is beginning to escalate in the hard-fought battle.

In recent debates, Farrell said she believes Shays has become more aggressive reportedly a tactic suggested by President Bush during his recent visit to a Greenwich fund-raiser. And, after the Shays' victory in 2004, the congressman said that he would fight back harder if he faced Farrell again.

In the 2004 fray, Farrell said she felt the congressman at times seemed indignant about the challenge to his seat, which he has held since 1987. During the first campaign, Farrell questioned Shays' performance and accused him of being less independent than previous years. This theme has been repeated more and more in Shays-Farrell II.

In the contest this year, Farrell has reached out more often for new issues and at times Shays has questioned her remarks.

Although some newspaper accounts claim Shays has increased his criticism of Farrell, both candidates have seemed on the harsh side more often than not.

Political insiders are curious if having Duffee and Maymin on the same stage will soften their rhetoric. Those attending the debate at 7:30 p.m. will have a chance to find out.