Says Aggressive Schedule Is Needed To Help Democratic Primary Voters Draw Contrasts Between Candidates
TYLER-Noting that Democratic Primary voters need to be as informed as possible about the candidates seeking his partys nomination for Texas Governor Hank Gilbert on Monday challenged Democrats seeking the partys nomination for governor to ten debates across Texas.
Democrats across Texas deserve the opportunity to hear from the large number of candidates in this field-in person Gilbert said. My opponents should welcome this opportunity to put themselves and their issues before Democratic Primary voters Gilbert said. Were ready willing and able to debate them anywhere any time he continued.
Specifically Gilbert challenged fellow candidates Tom Schieffer Kinky Friedman and Felix Alvarado to ten debates on a wide range of issues and in different formats throughout January and February.
We will extend this challenge to all legitimate candidates who announce and ultimately file for the primary said Gilbert spokesperson Vince Leibowitz.
PROPOSED DEBATE SCHEDULE
DEBATE 1
Date: Week of January 4
Location: El Paso
Format: three minute opening statements questions from three neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format for 60 minutes plus 3 minute closing statements.
Topic: Education
DEBATE 2
Date: Week of January 11
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth
Format: three minute opening statements questions from two neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format (30 minutes) plus questions from the audience (30 minutes) plus three minute closing statements.
Topic: All-issues debate.
DEBATE 3
Date: Week of January 18
Location: Amarillo
Format: Three minute opening statements questions from two neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format (30 minutes) plus questions from the audience and questions submitted to the candidates by email and video (40 minutes) plus three minute closing statements.
Topics: Jobs and the Texas Economy
DEBATE 4
Date: Week of January 25
Location: Houston
Format: Three-minute opening statements questions from two neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format (30 minutes) plus each candidate gets to ask other candidates one question (20 minutes) plus audience questions (20 minutes) plus three minute closing statements.
Topic: Energy and the Environment
DEBATE 5
Date: Week of February 1
Location: McAllen
Format: Three-minute opening statements questions from two neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format (30 minutes) plus questions from the audience (30 minutes) followed by three minute closing statements.
Topic: All-issue debate.
DEBATE 6
Date: Week of February 1 (the day immediately following Debate 5)
Location: Laredo
Format: Three-minute opening statements questions from three neutral moderators in a question-answer-rebuttal format (30 minutes) plus questions from the audience (30 minutes) followed by each candidate getting to ask other candidates one question (20 minutes) followed by three-minute closing statements.
Topic: All-issue debate
DEBATE 7
Date: Week of February 8
Location: Austin
Format: Three-minute opening statements questions from three neutral moderators (30 minutes) plus questions from the audience (30 minutes) plus three minute closing statements.
Topic: Environmental policy
DEBATE 8
Date: Week of February 8 (immediately following Debate 7)
Location: Waco
Format: Three-minute opening statements followed by questions from the audience (40 minutes) followed by questions from three neutral moderators (20 minutes) plus three-minute closing statements.
Topic: Transportation
DEBATE 9
Date: Week of February 15
Location: Tyler
Format: Three-minute opening statements followed by questions from three neutral moderators (30 minutes) followed by each candidate being able to ask the other candidates one question (20 minutes) followed by three minute closing statements.
Topic: All-issues debate
DEBATE 10
Date: Week of February 22
Location: San Antonio
Format: Three minute opening statements followed by questions from two neutral moderators (30 minutes) followed by questions from the audience and questions submitted by email and video (30 minutes) followed by three minute closing statements.
Topic: All-issues debate
