SALEM — Trying to press the point he’s been making in a TV ad featuring a rape victim, Republican Sen. Gordon Smith said Tuesday he would be glad to give Democrat Jeff Merkley one of the additional debates he’s seeking — as long as it’s about crime and it’s this weekend.

The Merkley camp declined what a spokesman called Smith’s “out of the blue” offer for a debate this weekend. But the Democratic contender said he would be glad to take part in other “credible forums” with Smith in the coming weeks.

The exchange comes as Smith began airing a new TV ad this week in the heated U.S. Senate race in which Tiffany Edens, a rape victim, accuses Merkley of failing to crack down on serious sex offenders in the Legislature.

On Monday, former Gov. Barbara Roberts joined other Democrats in blasting Smith’s ad as “sleazy.” Roberts also publicly challenged Smith to take part in more than just two debates with Merkley by agreeing to another debate focused on public safety issues.

The Smith campaign seized on the challenge Tuesday.

“The Senate is out of session this weekend, and I believe we should hold a debate this weekend on public safety and crime,” Smith said in a letter to Merkley.

In response, Merkley issued a letter declining Smith’s suggestion for a debate this weekend, but said the two camps should accept other debate invitations from across the state.

“I propose that we devote one of these formal debates with credible moderators to discuss how we keep our children and families safe,” Merkley’s letter said.

Smith and Merkley have agreed to two debates, Oct. 9 in Portland and Oct. 13 in Medford. Merkley had accepted six debate invitations from across the state and had hoped for more, but the Smith campaign earlier had said it was is unlikely the incumbent senator would agree to additional dates.

Meanwhile, Smith’s campaign said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had put off a fundraiser for Sen. Gordon Smith in August because of California’s budget crisis, will now appear in Portland on Friday at a benefit for the Oregon Republican.

Lunch tickets will go for $1,000, the Smith campaign said.