Tonight, the Democratic candidates will square off at Howard University in Washington for the third debate of the primary season. The debate will be aired by PBS, starting at 9 p.m. EST.
Vanessa Rozier of Black College Wire sets the scene:
Democratic presidential candidates plan to be at Howard University on June 28 to be questioned for the first time by an all-minority panel of journalists, and some student leaders view the event as historic.
Three journalists will pose questions to the eight presidential hopefuls, as Tavis Smiley and the Public Broadcasting Service facilitate what is called the "All-American Presidential Democratic Forum."
With the author, activist and talk show host will be journalists Michel Martin of National Public Radio, nationally syndicated columnists Ruben Navarrette Jr. of the San Diego Union-Tribune and DeWayne Wickham of USA Today.
The questions are to hreflect the issues presented in Smiley's book, "The Covenant with Black America," according to PBS.
The paperback, edited by Smiley, outlines 10 crucial issues African Americans face, including healthcare, education and employment.
"It's good because a lot of candidates don't speak about minorities," said Marcus Ware, senior finance major," speaking of the June 28 event. Ware, president of the Howard University Student Association, plans to be in attendance.
"It's good that it's on our campus because Howard has so much history fighting for black people and minorities," he said.
While the first two debates centered around America's role in Iraq, tonight's debate is expected to focus on domestic issues, according to the Miami Herald:
In a campaign season that's been dominated so far by Iraq, the 90-minute session at Howard University, a predominantly black college in the nation's capital, will focus on domestic issues, with emphasis on how they affect minority and poor communities. Eight candidates will share the stage, but the spotlight will focus most on the two Democratic front-runners, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.
I imagine that today's Supreme Court ruling, which rejects school diversity plans that consider race, will be a hot topic tonight. Hillary Clinton is the first presidential candidate to condemn the ruling. She released the following statement today:
6/28/2007
Hillary Clinton Statement on School Desegregation Case
"Today, the Court turned its back on the promise of Brown vs. Board of Education that students of different racial backgrounds deserve an opportunity to attend school together. At a time when our nation's schools are increasingly resegregating, we should be championing local efforts to pursue integration and reduce racial inequities in schools.
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the valiant struggle to integrate Little Rock Central High School, let us remember the millions who marched, fought and even paid the ultimate price to help ensure every child in America has an opportunity to attend diverse, high-quality schools."
"These decisions take away the right of local communities to ensure that all students benefit from racially diverse classrooms. Recent evidence shows that integrated schools promote minority academic achievement, and can help close the achievement gap."
"Once again, the Roberts Court has shown its willingness to erode core constitutional guarantees. It is a set back for all of us who are on the long march toward racial equality and the building of a stronger more unified America. As President, I will fight to restore Brown's promise and create an education system where all children have an equal chance to learn and excel together."
The debate will be moderated by Tavis Smiley, and 3 panelists will ask questions. Information about all 4 individuals is available on PBS.org:
About Tavis Smiley
TAVIS SMILEY is the host of "Tavis Smiley" on PBS and "The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI" and the author/editor of 11 books, including The New York Times best-sellers Covenant With Black America and What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America. His latest book, THE COVENANT in Action is in stores now. For more information, visit www.tavistalks.com.
About the Panelists
MICHEL MARTIN is a host and reporter for National Public Radio. Prior to joining NPR, she was a correspondent for ABC News Nightline, a reporter for The Washington Post and a White House correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.
RUBEN NAVARRETTE JR. is a member of the editorial board of The San Diego Union-Tribune and a nationally syndicated columnist with The Washington Post Writers Group. His twice-a-week column appears in nearly 200 newspapers.
DeWAYNE WICKHAM is a columnist for USA Today and the Gannett News Service. His syndicated column is distributed to more than 130 daily newspapers in the United States. Wickham also serves as director of the Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The debate airs on PBS, although unfortunately, not every PBS affiliate around the country will be broadcasting it. If you live in a region where the debate isn't on television, you can watch it online, according to PBS:
The PBS Democratic Forum will be simultaneously webcast on PBS.org, and video of both events will be archived for download and viewing on the Web site. The Web site (pbs.org/tavissmiley) will include additional coverage of the presidential candidates and their positions on key issues of the campaign, including past interviews, backgrounders, viewer polls and a forum blog and election resources. Visitors will be able to submit their own questions for the candidates, read commentary and share their own opinions.
For Hillary Clinton supporters in the DC area who couldn't get tickets to the debate, please take note:
A group of young professionals organizing support for Hillary will host a "watch party" in Washington, D.C. The group, Young Lawyers for Hillary invites you to join with like minded Democrats to cheer on the next president as she debates other candidates for the nomination. All are invited.
The debate watch party will be at Stetson’s on Thursday, June 28th. The group will celebrate the launch of their new website as well (www.younglawyersforhillary.com).
Stetson’s Bar and Grill is located at 1610 U Street NW (16th and U). The event is from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Let’s all watch and cheer on Senator Hillary Clinton.
Ain't primary season fun? :)
SOURCES:
http://emqtv.com/...
http://www.miamiherald.com/...
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/...
http://www.pbs.org/...
http://www.hillaryis44.org/...