BOSTON — Coming off a respectable showing at the state Democratic Party convention, Gloucester attorney Edward O'Reilly yesterday challenged U.S. Sen. John Kerry to a series of debates and town meeting-style forums across Massachusetts.

In calling for the head-on clashes, O'Reilly continued to hammer one of his campaign themes — that Kerry is out of touch with Massachusetts voters.

"My feeling is John Kerry needs to come back to Massachusetts and talk to the people and hear what they have to say," O'Reilly said. "It's a perfect opportunity to have a dialogue."

O'Reilly is calling for seven to 10 debates before the Sept. 16 primary.

He also is proposing the two Democrats talk directly to voters in a single town meeting-style forum in each Massachusetts county. Television stations could broadcast those meetings, also.

The town meetings would have no rules except for a time limit agreed upon by the two candidates. There'd be no screening of attendees, O'Reilly said.

At Saturday's convention, O'Reilly earned enough support to make the primary ballot with 23 percent of the delegate vote. But it was Kerry, who with about 78 percent of the vote, received the party's nomination.

Roger Lau, Kerry's campaign manager, said it was too early to discuss a debate schedule.

"We just finished the convention," Lau said. "Obviously, John Kerry is Massachusetts Democratic nominee (for U.S. Senate). He's excited to get back working alongside Sen. Kennedy."

In particular, Lau didn't want to negotiate the debate schedule through the media.

"Our campaigns can talk about specifics," Lau said.

In an e-mailed statement later in the day, Lau added that the Kerry campaign would discuss debates with the O'Reilly camp once the Senate has finished its business for the summer, as early as August.

"We look to a thoughtful discussion about debates once the Senate has finished the business of this session," Lau wrote.

The Senate Web site indicates the chamber will not be in session June 28 through July 5 and Aug. 9 through Sept. 7.

While he acknowledged he's asking for a lot of meetings with the senator, O'Reilly said the Senate schedule should give Kerry ample time to debate him on a number of occasions.

"If he's not working, why wouldn't he be available to do that?" O'Reilly said.

O'Reilly's gambit is typical of challengers, who usually want more debates than the incumbents who have more to lose.

O'Reilly, a former Gloucester city councilor, exceeded his expectations and those of most observers when he received 23 percent of the support of convention delegates.

Heading into Saturday's party convention, there were questions whether O'Reilly would get as much as 15 percent, the number he needed in order for his name to appear on the primary ballot as a Democrat.

Kerry, seeking re-election to a fifth term, worked hard to secure as much support as possible, even asking O'Reilly supporters to switch in the name of party unity.

In addition to gathering the signatures he needed to satisfy state law, O'Reilly spent months meeting local Democratic officials across the state, building support so that he could satisfy Democratic Party rules.

Ensured of a matchup against Kerry, O'Reilly said everything is going according to plan.

"I'm right where I want to be," O'Reilly said.