If there’s one thing all Hoosiers can share pride in, it’s our tradition of feisty political independence.
The two Republicans in the U.S. Senate were preceded by Democrats, and Mitch Daniels, a Republican who is wrapping up eight years in the Statehouse, was preceded by three Democrats.
Democrat Barack Obama carried the state four years ago; for decades before that, the GOP seemed to have a lock on presidential contests here.
Voters here have a strong tradition of judging the candidates by what they say, do and stand for rather than by what party they belong to.
Attack ads, sound bites, partisan rallies, folksy commercials — all of it may help a contender build an image. But the thoughtful voter deserves to hear the candidates square and explain their approach to the issues the voters themselves care most about.
In that tradition, the Indiana Debate Commission will present three gubernatorial and two U.S. Senate debates this fall (including its first on Wednesday evening in Zionsville with the governor candidates). Each will last one hour.
Three of the debates will be before live audiences in Zionsville (Wednesday), South Bend (Oct. 17, governor) and New Albany (Oct. 23, Senate). Free tickets to those events are available or will soon be available. Two will be in television studios (a Senate debate Oct. 15 at WFYI in Indianapolis, and the final governor debate Oct. 25 at WFWA PBS39 in Fort Wayne). All will be broadcast statewide beginning at 7 p.m. And all of them will feature questions from voters across the state.
To submit a question, go to indianadebatecommission.com . You can also visit its site on Facebook.
The Indiana Debate Commission formed in 2007 and began hosting debates in 2008. It has so far conducted eight debates, including a Republican U.S. Senate primary debate in April. The commission is a nonpartisan organization with one goal: to offer fair, neutral forums where candidates for governor or the U.S. Senate can meet, civilly discuss the issues, and have their candidacies weighed and compared by voters statewide.
Commission members are mostly from 13 media and educational institutions who volunteer their time.
Our monetary support is from member-organizations’ foundations and other nonpartisan contributions and grants. We use it to pay for statewide TV satellite service and equipment for each of our debate sites. The venues hosting the debates donate the use of their facilities and help with ticketing, security, etc.
We and the host facilities for these debates work hard to present first-rate programs that all Hoosier voters can have access to for one reason: so you can make informed choices this November.
Tim Harmon is executive editor of the South Bend Tribune and a member of the Indiana Debate Commission. He can reached at tharmon@sbtinfo.com.
Opinion
It’s time for candidates to debate the issues
- Opinion
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RONN MOTT: Why Syria?
Russia is making a lot of noise in favor of Syria. They are supplying Assad’s army with more armaments and basic things such as ammunition and such.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Another beloved dog goes to heaven
We are short one granddog. This past week, “Indy” could no longer use her back legs and she went to that great dog kennel in the hereafter.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
• Beware those who follow Ayn Rand
• Poor excuse for gas price hikes
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
As journalists toiling to create a content-rich, relevant and compelling community newspaper each day, we feel a special bond with our legions of readers across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
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GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
Ending at the U.S. Capitol building, it is a symbol of our belief in the power and greatness of America. Last weekend, we turned it into a mass grave.
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EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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RONN MOTT: Kill the Umpire!
I don’t know who appointed Major League Baseball’s umpires “Gods,” but if they have been appointed “Gods,” they have appointed people who cannot see or think very well.
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
Morning after? No worries
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
• Another idea on housing issue
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
• Reform by politics will not improve education
• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
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RONN MOTT: The ‘wilds’ of Collett Park
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EDITORIAL: Fix fraud, don’t punish needy
Waste and fraud in government programs should be rooted out vigilantly. Legislation should fix a problem with a fitting solution, not punish the needy.
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READERS' FORUM: June 7, 2013
Thanks to those who helped VYFL
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