Don't get too excited

There is no way that harper will have a one-on-one debate with Ignatieff.  Unless, of course, he can frame it as the leader of the CPC against the leader of The Coalition™.  And only if he can control who ask questions and what those questions will be.  Maybe have Duffy pretend he's still a journalist of sorts.

This is a guy who only days into the campaign is even frustrating conservative activists by limiting reporter and controlling appearances to a paranoid degree.

steve does not do well when he is caught off guard or hasn't been able to rehearse and plan every word.  Even if his massive ego does not let him realize that he would be no match for Ignatieff in a one-on-one debate, he simply cannot handle situations where he does not control the agenda.

Also, look at steve's word-choice (emphasis mine):

"We're open to any number of possibilities. We could have a traditional debate of Parliamentary leaders, we could have a debate that includes Miss May in such a format, we could have a debate that includes every party that's on the ballot," Harper said.  "We could also have a debate between Mr. Ignatieff and myself, since, after all, the real choice in this election is a choice between a Conservative government or an Ignatieff-led government that all of these other parties will support." 

He's not saying he wants a debate with Ignatieff or that he will have one.   Unlike Ignatiegff's response, "any time, any place," steve is non-committal and vague, using the opportunity to wave the coalition myth around again.

People who think harper is oh so smart, oh so masterful a politician, and oh so trustworthy should ask themselves why he won't answer questions he hasn't approved, and why he needs to control all media events.  If he can't answer questions during an election, how can we possibly trust him to be open and truthful as PM?  Five years of harper has shown us that we can't.

CPC: Contempt of Parliament.  Harper: contempt for Canadians.