Some free tickets available; LePage drops out of MPBN debate

The final Maine Public Broadcasting Network debate of the 2010 Maine gubernatorial race takes place 8 p.m. Oct. 28 on the Bates College campus.

The debate will be webcast and broadcast live by MPBN on radio and television 8-9 p.m. from the Olin Concert Hall at Bates, 75 Russell St., Lewiston. Because seating is limited, admission will be by ticket only, reserved in advance — but tickets are free and a limited number of them are still available on a first-come, first-served basis, via e-mail at yourvote2010[at]bates[dot]edu. There is a limit of one ticket per e-mail address. While all tickets must be reserved prior to the debate, any tickets not claimed by 7:30 p.m. at the reservation table in Olin will be offered to the general public.

A RELATED EVENT:
Beside the gubernatorial debate, Bates’ Brooks Quimby Debate Council and students in the Presidential Campaign Rhetoric class will offer a two-part program from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. in the Mays Center, near Central Ave. and Russell St. The debaters will outline the candidates’ stances on key issues and talk about areas of divergence and overlap. The Rhetoric students will then discuss strategies of political debates. Both these associated events are open to all at no charge.

DEBATE BACKGROUND:
While no questions will be taken from the audience during the live debate, MPBN welcomes questions received prior to the debate for consideration by its moderator and two questioners. Those questions should be submitted by e-mail to talk(at)mpbn(dot)net before noon Oct. 28.

All five candidates on the state ballot committed to participating in the Oct. 28 debate at Bates: independent candidate Eliot Cutler, Republican nominee and Waterville Mayor Paul LePage, Democratic nominee and Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell and independent candidates Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott.

However, late Wednesday afternoon Oct. 27 LePage notified MPBN he will not be participating in the Bates debate.

This and prior debates will all be available on demand at www.mpbn.net as part of MPBN’s “Your Vote 2010” election coverage, and will be rebroadcast over the weekend.

MPBN gubernatorial debate broadcast times:
10/28 Thursday 8 p.m. LIVE – Also live radio simulcast, and webcast at www.mpbn.net
10/29 Friday 1 p.m. – Radio
10/29 Friday 8:30 p.m. – TV
10/31 Sunday 11 a.m. -TV
10/31 Sunday 4:30 p.m. – TV
11/1 Monday 3 p.m. – Radio
The debate will also be available on demand at www.mpbn.net following the live event.