Stage set for debate

With the demand for tickets growing, the sponsors for the 2002 Governor's Debate in McCook announced that free passes for the debate are being made available at a number of additional locations.

The hour-long debate will take place tomorrow -- Saturday, Sept. 14 -- at the Memorial Auditorium in McCook. Mike Johanns, the Republican incumbent; Stormy Dean, the Democratic challenger; and Paul Rosberg, the Nebraska Party candidate, will square off in the debate, which will begin promptly at 1 p.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.

For the convenience of debate guests who are coming from a distance, Lynn Driml-Pinkal of McCook Radio Group said she has placed tickets at McCook motels as well as at Sehnert's Bakery and the Bieroc Cafe. In addition, she said free tickets for the debate will be available at the auditorium for out-of-town guests.

The doors will open at noon.

The Governor's Debate, the first-ever in McCook, is being co-sponsored by the McCook Daily Gazette and McCook Radio Group.

Dave Stout, owner of the McCook Radio Group, will serve as moderator and the Mayor of McCook, Linda Taylor, will be the timer.

The panel who will be posing questions for the candidates are Gene Morris, publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette; Scott Bauer, newsman for the Associated Press; Seth Denney, news anchorman for the Nebraska Television Network; and Cydney Janssen, director of media and public relations for Chadron State College.

The debate will begin with a one-minute opening statement by the candidates. By previous drawing, the order of the statements will be Johanns, Dean and Rosberg.

Then, in alternating order, the candidates will answer questions from the panel. Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer the question; then the first candidate to answer will be given 30 seconds for rebuttal.

The panel members are the only ones allowed to ask questions. Candidates may not ask each other questions; nor may they talk directly to each other.

Personal attacks are not allowed. Candidates may refer to an opponent in terms of his position on the issues; but may not resort to personal references.

At the Omaha debate -- which took place Aug. 23 -- the panel posed 10 questions, and it is estimated a similar number of questions will be asked here.

Following the questions and answers, candidates will be allowed one minute each for a closing statement. The order, which was predetermined by drawing, will be Rosberg, Dean and Johanns.

In order not to show favoritism, no applause will be allowed during the debate. The only time applause will be permitted will be at the end of the debate.

"It is a great honor for McCook and the Southwest Area of the state to host the Governor's Debate," said Morris and Stout in a joint statement.

"It will provide citizens an excellent opportunity to hear the candidates' positions on the issues. We invite all interested persons to join us for what we believe will be an enlightening discussion by the candidates."