BOSTON -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush rejected a Boston television station's offer to debate Arizona Sen. John McCain during the station's regular newscasts.

WCVB-TV invited Bush and McCain, as well as Democratic contenders Vice President Al Gore and Sen. Bill Bradley, to participate in one-on-one debates on the station's newscasts between now and until Feb. 1, the date of the New Hampshire primary. McCain accepted the offer.

In declining the offer, Bush's campaign said there were already plenty of debates scheduled before Feb. 1.

"There are going to be three debates in three weeks," said Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes. "I think we're also uncomfortable with a TV station ruling out some other candidates."

Bradley's campaign said the former senator would also not accept the invitation. There was no immediate answer from Vice President Al Gore's camp.

Linda Polach, the station's executive editor, said she had not heard an official response from anyone but McCain's campaign, but said she would be disappointed if the others refused to participate.

Polach stood by the station's decision to only invite certain candidates, and said she did know what the station would do if McCain alone accepted the offer.

McCain said Monday that the debates would give him another opportunity to distinguish himself from Bush.