UVa Miller Center, ABC News Partnering on Campaign 2012 Debates

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Updated: 1:21 PM Dec 13, 2011

Media Release

ABC News’ “This Week with Christiane Amanpour” and the Miller Center at the University of Virginia are partnering for “The Great American Debates,” a series of debates on the key issues of the 2012 presidential campaign.

Posted: 1:17 PM Dec 13, 2011
Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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December 13, 2011

The series will kick off Sunday, Dec. 18 and continue through Election Day.

The debates, moderated by Amanpour, will take place before a live studio audience at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. and air on Sundays as special episodes of “This Week." Check local listings for air times.

The first debate will take on the issue of big government tackling such issues as entitlements, taxes, and government regulations. Participants for “There is Too Much Government in My Life,” will include Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, and columnist George Will versus Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), senior Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich.

“Too often in this country, important issues are not discussed or debated as much as they are reduced to soundbites and slogans. Our purpose is to educate and to elevate the level of understanding and civility when the issues of 2012 are discussed. I’m especially pleased that these debates will not only help inform voters but also help teach students across the country,” said Gov. Gerald L. Baliles, director and CEO of the Miller Center.

Five additional debates are planned before Election Day.

"The Great American Debate allows us to really delve into the substance of this election and unpack the differing visions for the country. By talking to key thinkers, we hope to move beyond talking points and examine the ideological divide separating the two parties," said Amanpour.

The Miller Center will create and disseminate educational materials for the debate. Leading scholars will write white papers on each debate topic. The white papers will be turned into lesson plans that middle-school and high-school teachers can use to educate students about election issues.

Viewers are invited to post their comments and questions on the topics during the week before each debate on Twitter, using the hashtag #GreatDebate, and at the AmanpourABC and Miller Center Facebook pages. Some may be used on air.

White papers and lessons plans will be available at MillerCenter.org.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Dan Schutte on Dec 13, 2011 at 08:04 PM

Stickler, You are right.... I did say Miller School once, and they are very different. We had Miller Center and middle school in the same sentence, and I made the error. Thanks for watching, and thank you for pointing it out. DAN

Posted by: stickler for accuracy on Dec 13, 2011 at 07:04 PM

Dan, just wanted to point out that, though the graphics were correct, in your 6:00 news report you kept saying that the Miller SCHOOL was in this partnership. The Miller Center and the Miller School are two very separate entities. The Miller Center is well known for studies of the presidency and has hosted many notable speakers over the years. In fact perhaps you should look at doing a story on it. (No, I have no affiliation--but I once did a story on it myself). Please try to be more accurate--you're personable,and that's nice. But accuracy trumps that.

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