University of Wisconsin - Extension

Health care, the war in Iraq and jobs are topics on the minds of many likely voters. Republican candidates running for the U.S. Senate have formulated positions on these topics and others, and will lay them out in a statewide televised "We the People" Debate at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT).

Wisconsin Public Radio will simulcast the event on its Ideas Network. WMVS-TV in Milwaukee also will carry the live debate at the same time. Following the one-hour debate, WPT will air Here and Now, its live news program.

The debate and follow-up program air less than a week prior to the Sept. 14 primary. The general election is Nov. 2 and the winner of the primary faces Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold.

Participating candidates are car dealer Russ Darrow, attorney Robert Gerald Lorge, construction company owner Tim Michels and state Sen. Bob Welch. They all have met the criteria to participate. Details on the criteria, set out by We the People/Wisconsin and WPT, can be found at http://www.wisconsinvote.org

Moderating the debate will be WPT's Here and Now anchor Frederica Freyberg. Those interested in attending the debate in the WPT studio and possibly submitting a question for the candidates may call (800) 853-5294. Seating is limited.

The event is a part of the We the People/Wisconsin civic journalism project. We the People/Wisconsin is a multimedia partnership that aims to reconnect citizens with public life through town meetings, candidate and issue forums and citizen-based

reporting. Participating in We the People/Wisconsin are WPT, Wisconsin Public Radio, the Wisconsin State Journal, WISC-TV/Madison and Wood Communications Group.

We the People/Wisconsin does not advocate for any candidate, political party or movement. It advocates for readers, viewers and listeners by serving as a channel for conversations between citizens and public officials throughout Wisconsin.