New commission sets 3 gubernatorial debates

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Aug 7, 2008 at 4:02 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — All three candidates for governor this year have agreed to dates and locations for three debates proposed by a new coalition of media and citizens groups.

The Indiana Debate Commission proposed that the first debate be held Sept. 16 in Merrillville, the second on Sept. 23 in Jasper and the third on Oct. 14 in Bloomington.

They will likely be evening events, with the commission making satellite time available so any television station or radio broadcaster in Indiana could carry the debate for free.

The campaigns of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democrat Jill Long Thompson said they had agreed to the dates and locations, as did Libertarian Andrew Horning.

The commission of 13 affiliate groups was formed last year to promote open, unbiased debates at the state level that would reach as many people as possible. It has not yet proposed formats for the three gubernatorial debates.

The commission is still working on proposals for the debate formats.

One of the commission's 13 affiliate groups, The Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, will be donating remote production facilities to produce and air the live debates.

Ten venues, from commercial theaters to private high schools, submitted applications by the May 31 deadline to be considered for a minimum of three debate locations and each was visited by volunteer review teams. Site visits took a minimum of two hours.

"The review process was rigorous and our decision-making process led us to these locations and available times," said Kevin Finch, president of the commission and news director of WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

He said the venues selected — the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, the Jasper Arts Center in Jasper and the Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington — were providing professional staff and support services to ensure the best forums for candidates as well as voters.

"Never before has there been such a diverse group in place for setting standards and providing candidates with a level playing field, and providing them with the ability to address such a wide audience of voters," said Terri Jett, chairwoman of the Political Science Department at Butler University and also a commission board member.

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