Last night's R-71 debate
I was very happy with last night's R-71 debate. We had a good discussion and good attendance (I think we had maybe 70 in the room, ranging from a state senator to a whole flock of college students).
City Club has long hosted candidate forums and issue debates. But this was one different for a couple reasons: it was scheduled outside our regular programming and it was free. We had two presenters: Laurie Jenkins, a co-chair of the Approve 71 campaign, and Joseph Backholm, Executive Director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington.I asked five or six questions to them, which took the first 35 minutes or so, and then the audience had a chance to ask questions. We got through about five or six of those as well. I am happy to report that while contentious and at times quite lively, it was a good model of civic participation and discussion.Mary was armed with the Flip camera. I haven't reviewed the footage to see how it turned out, but if it's got good audio I'll find a way to post it online. Thanks to all who came!
