UPDATE, August 10, 2010 — The debate has been canceled because CBA and PPIC were unable to reach agreement with both qualified candidates.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 10, 2010–The California Broadcasters Association and the Public Policy Institute of California will cosponsor a statewide gubernatorial debate broadcast on October 5, 2010. A new debate format is designed to give voters the best opportunity to learn the leading candidates’ positions on the most pressing issues facing the state.
The 90-minute live broadcast will be divided into at least five issue segments. Each segment will be moderated by a leading, impartial expert in that issue area. These moderators, selected from across California, will ask questions and encourage thoughtful, fact-based dialogue among the candidates. Each candidate will have an opportunity to present his or her views on each of the issues discussed.
The partnership for this debate combines the experience and resources of the California Broadcasters Association, which has hosted many of the major gubernatorial debates in California in recent years, with the expertise of the Public Policy Institute of California, which has earned a reputation for high quality and independent research over the last 16 years.
“California faces critical challenges, and we need to set a new standard for substance in the campaign for the state’s top office,” said PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare. “This debate is designed to give Californians a better understanding of how the candidates intend to address these challenges and build a better future for our state.”
CBA President and CEO Stan Statham noted the need to broadly engage Californians in the election. “It is essential to bring a substantive conversation among the candidates to the widest possible statewide audience,” Statham said. “Our experience in hosting debates tells us that it’s important to give candidates the time to focus and exchange views on the state’s most important issues.”
All certified candidates for governor have received an invitation to participate in this debate should they meet the following criteria: at least 10 percent support among California likely voters in the PPIC Statewide Survey, the Field Poll, or the Los Angeles Times/USC Poll before September 15.
The live broadcast will be available to the more than 1,000 radio and television stations in California as well as national and international media. Prior to the debate, Californians are encouraged to visit CaliforniaDecides.org to share their views about key issues, questions for the candidates, and experts who should lead the conversations.
ABOUT CBA
The California Broadcasters Association represents over 1,000 radio and television stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast in our state. Through conferences, conventions, publications, and community activities, the CBA assists stations in responding to industry issues and promoting their extensive public service efforts. CBA’s debate activities will be administered through the California Broadcasters Foundation.
ABOUT PPIC
The Public Policy Institute of California is dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research on major economic, social, and political issues. The institute was established in 1994 with an endowment from William R. Hewlett. As a private operating foundation, PPIC does not take or support positions on any ballot measure or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it endorse, support, or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office.