Sunday, April 16, 2006

Great news: A Lt. Gov debate at CMU

The Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon, is pleased to announce the Democratic Lt. Governor Primary debate, Wednesday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, the Heinz School, and the local League of Women Voters chapter. Candidates who agreed to participate: Valerie McDonald Roberts, Gene Stilp, and Bill Hall.

The debate will be held in the Hamburg Hall Auditorium, Room 1000, at 4800 Forbes Avenue, between Craig Street and Morewood Avenue, directly across the street from the large Morewood Parking Lot.

The great news of this event is the fact that the local institutions, educational institutions, are going to engage. We need that engagement in Pittsburgh and for the sake of our state.

CMU, Pitt, RMU, PPU, CCAC, DU and the Cs (Carlow and Chattam) -- you gotta engage.

Every department. Every academic organization. Every faculty senate, student government organization.

And let's not stop with these core to Pittsburgh institutions. Grove City, Slippery Rock, California, Gannon, -- you name em. We need em. We need faculty, staffers, students and parents of students to give a darn by hosting part of these discussions.

Even nonprofits -- don't be shy. If a nonprofit gets PAN-POLITICAL, by putting a seat at the table for ALL contestants -- then its okay. We can't have nonprofits give favorite treatment to some and unfavorite treatment to others. But, show respect to all, show inclusion, show it all -- under bright lights.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've noticed that Catherine Baker Knoll was not mentioned-is she going to debate as well?

Mark Rauterkus said...

That was my assumption. I'll look further and see.

However, at times, there is an invite given -- and no clear answer as to who is going to show up and who is going to skip out. ??? And, it can even change day-to-day.

Debate organizers should hold the event -- and proceed even without a clear answer from the candiates / participants.

Anonymous said...

CBK has refused to debate. She will not participate in any of the three scheduled debates and has yet to be visible to press or voters.