The first 2012 presidential debate will be held very soon, followed by another each of the three weeks that follow. For Energy Citizens, the debates represent an important opportunity to help make this year’s election an Energy Election.
The Commission on Presidential Debates hosts all of the events. For more information on the debate formats, click here. Here are the dates and basic information:
- First presidential debate—October 3, 2012, University of Denver; covers domestic policy.
- Vice presidential debate— October 11, 2012, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky; covers foreign and domestic topics.
- Second presidential debate—October 16, 2012, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York; covers foreign and domestic topics.
- Third presidential debate— October 22, Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida; covers foreign policy.
So which debate should Energy Citizens focus on? The answer is whichever debate is next.
Energy should be an extremely relevant topic in all of the debates because it is a matter that affects both domestic and foreign policy. The degree to which each candidate relates other policy matters (economy, national security, etc.) to energy will help us understand who will be truly committed to American Energy if they are elected.
How can Energy Citizens use the debates to help make this year’s election an Energy Election?
It would be great if we could ensure that Energy Citizens are in the debate audiences, especially since audience members will be asking questions in the second presidential debate. But tickets are extremely limited, as the debates are intended to be directed primarily to television audiences.
So we hope Energy Citizens will consider hosting debate watching parties. The Commission on Presidential Debates actually has some great suggestions for hosting a debate watching party, which you can read by clicking here.
If this interests you, please email sarita@energycitizens.org so we can help you. In addition to the Commission’s recommendations, we hope you’ll distribute Vote4Energy materials and ask people attending your party to sign the Pledge to vote for energy.
Vote4Energy hosted a special event recently to help prepare all voters for look at what role energy issues should play in the presidential debates. You can watch an archived video of this event by clicking here. It may help you decide how to guide the discussion in your debate watching party.
Finally, your debate watching party can have an impact far beyond those you host if you share photos and anecdotes from your party.
Enjoy the debates and be sure to vote November 6th!