Democrats To Debate On Campus

The debate is open to the public and will include Democratic candidates Rep. Dan Blue, D-Wake; former President Clinton's Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles; former Durham council member Cynthia Brown; and N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.

Candidates will be allowed to make opening and closing statements. They will respond to written questions that have been submitted to the UNC School of Law dean and then address three selected general policy questions.

In the time remaining, questions will be entertained from the audience.

Gene Nichol, dean of the law school, said he organized the debate to give law students an opportunity to hear the candidates' exchange of ideas.

"We invited principle Democratic Senate candidates to come speak at the law school," Nichol said. "We like the idea of debate. We believe in the notion of public forum -- the exchange of ideas is an attractive thing. It is an opportunity for students."

Nichols said he has been trying to set up an opportunity for Republican candidates to debate, but he has been unable to bring them to campus for a similar event. Instead, Republican candidates will come on individual dates.

"We try to invite principle candidates of each party," Nichol said. "Elizabeth Dole said she couldn't schedule a visit this semester. Dr. Ada Fisher will be here on April 17 to speak to the law students."

Jim Snyder, a Republican candidate, spoke Monday.

Nichol said he expects a substantial turnout for the event.

Spokesmen from two campaigns said their candidates are looking forward to the forum as an opportunity to exchange their ideas and debate their proposals to be the most effective as senator.

UNC journalism Professor Ferrel Guillory said today's debate is a critical event for the campaigns and for students.

"Face-to-face debates are important to hold candidates accountable," Guillory said.

"Sometimes the toughest questions come from the opposition, not from journalists. This gives voters a chance to take measure of candidates side by side."

But Guillory said he is disappointed that the debate will not be televised because it will have a limited effect on the election's overall outcome.

"If one candidate really scares or if they make a major faux pas -- if that turns into a news story it might have some impact," he said. "Without the debate being televised, the effect is limited on the mass electorate."

Guillory said that despite this factor, the event is still important.

"It is really great that the law school is hosting the debate," he said. "It is exceptionally important that our University, our campus, be a forum of discussion for statewide issues and that we are a place where candidates want to come to share ideas."

Guillory said the debate is essential because none of the Democratic candidates have achieved substantial statewide name recognition.

"This debate is a further opportunity to introduce themselves and to introduce issues they are likely to address."

The State and National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.