Gubernatorial candidates Walter Dalton and Pat McCrory have agreed to two televised debates debates in October, with a twist.
They will be aired the same night as the first two presidential debates.
The N.C. Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation announced Thursday they had reached an agreement for two debates to broadcast live on state-wide TV and radio on Oct. 3 and 16 at 7 p.m. The one-hour debates will be broadcast the UNC-TV studio in the Research Triangle Park.
Those same nights, beginning at 9 p.m., Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney will hold one and half hour debates.
Industry officials said they thought that by holding the gubernatorial debates on the same nights as the presidential debates, they would attract a broader audience of public-minded citizens. But it is the first time it has been tried, and they risk the gubernatorial debates being overshadowed by the presidential debates or viewers deciding that two and half hours of debate is too much for one evening.
Comments
Makes sense
August 10, 2012 - 9:24am — BrentWoodcoxHonestly, if someone is not willing to watch 2.5 hours of debates in one night, they weren't tuning in for the gubernatorial debate anyway. No one watches these things who is not a political junkie. It's also fair to assume the vast majority tuning into local/state office debates already have their minds made up.
What will they talk about?
August 10, 2012 - 6:02am — inandohThe gubernatorial debate does not seem to be too exciting. What questions will be asked?
Probable questions for McCrory:
"Mr. McCrory, will you release your tax returns?"
"Will you keep the executive chef?"
Probable questions for Bev's Lieutenant:
"Sir, who are you?"
"Do you have a photo ID?"
"How did this guy get past security?"
Wow
August 9, 2012 - 7:10pm — natdugThis is, quite possibly, the worst idea ever. I can't believe the campaigns agreed to this...
What?
August 9, 2012 - 6:53pm — gercohenPlease send me the names of the three people who will watch both debates on the same night. You may not include the moderators or their families.