Interest group coalition launches Great Debates

By Mike Householder Associated Press Writer DETROIT (AP) -- Leading trade organizations and public broadcasters across the state are teaming up to produce and televise a series of debates in gubernatorial and legislative races leading up to November's general election. "This is the most important Michigan election in a generation," Rich Homberg, president and general manager of Detroit Public Television, said in a recent statement. "We think we can provide a crucial service by helping the citizens understand the crucial issues." Detroit Public Television and Ann Arbor-based think tank The Center for Michigan conceived the project, called the Great Debates 2010. In all, 19 trade organizations and numerous public broadcasters across the state got together for the new initiative, which will provide three, one-hour gubernatorial debates -- one in each major party primary and one during the general election campaign. The Great Debates series also is to feature 50 half-hour legislative debates during the general election campaign and several multi-candidate legislative forums during both the primary and general campaigns. The debates will be broadcast on public television, freely distributed online as video and will run from July through Election Day on Nov. 2. Debate invitations are being sent out to all gubernatorial campaigns. Candidates in legislative races will be invited following the filing deadline in early May. "This is how democracy should work," said Rob Fowler, president and chief executive of the Small Business Association of Michigan. "Sometimes, organizations in Lansing get accused of being 'special interests.' We think this effort dispels that notion." Published: Thu, Feb 25, 2010

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