1:36 p.m., Oct. 7, 2010--The inaugural Delaware Debates
opened Wednesday evening in Mitchell Hall on the University of Delaware
campus in Newark, providing a face-to-face meeting between the state's
major party candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives --
Republican Glen Urquhart and Democrat John Carney.
Delaware Debates will continue at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, also
in Mitchell Hall, with Republican Christine O'Donnell and Democrat
Chris Coons, who are vying for a U.S. Senate seat. The Congressional debate was attended by more than 500 people and
was, said Ralph Begleiter, director of the University of Delaware Center for Political Communication, a “historic moment."
Begleiter said the 90-minute debate, co-sponsored by the Center for Political Communication and Delaware First Media, provided an opportunity for the candidates to speak directly to the public. In addition to those on hand, the debate was viewed through streaming video online and via C-SPAN.
Nancy Karibjanian of Delaware First Media moderated the session, as
the candidates discussed their views on jobs, government deregulation,
the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), health care, taxes, Social
Security and national security and terrorism.
Questions also were posed by UD students, covering education, the job
market, Medicare, wind power and alternative energy, the military's
“don't ask, don't tell policy,” and dependence on foreign oil.
Photos by Evan Krape and Kevin Quinlan
