Watch the Presidential Debate With the LWV

The following information was submitted by the League of Women Voters of Brookline: 

Candidates debates have been front and center in the news. We see what an impact debates can have on an election. This Tuesday, Oct. 16, is the second Presidential Debate. The viewing audience for the first debate was over 67 million people. Will the next debate draw an equally large audience?

Join the League of Women Voters of Brookline and Pine Manor College, 400 Heath St., Rosemary Ashby Campus Center (first floor), on Tuesday, October 16, from 8:30 to 11 p.m. for a Community Discussion and Debate Watch and refreshments. The debate discussion moderator will be Dr. William B. Vogele, dean of the Pine Manor College and professor of political science and chair, division of natural and social sciences.

We will watch the debate on a big screen and discuss: Does the format give each candidate an equal opportunity to speak and respond to questions? Are the questions clear, fair and equally tough on all candidates? Do the questions cover the issues that are important to you? Is the moderator in control of the debate? Does the moderator need to say less and let the candidates say more? Do the candidates answer questions directly, or do they evade them or fail to answer the specific question? Do they talk about their own policies and positions, or do they mostly attack their opponents?

Also mark your calendar for our next Community Discussion & Debate Watch at Newbury College on Monday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 to 11 p.m., in the Campus Center, 129 Fisher Avenue, Brookline, parking available in Lot A or Lot B. This will be the third and final Presidential Debate of 2012. The debate discussion moderators from Newbury College will be Ebony Brinson, financial aid counselor; Deborah Mael, program director for English and the humanities; and Kurt Ward, program director for criminal justice and legal studies.

For more information, email the League at league@lwvbrookline.org.