Online debates begin
Online debates for candidates running for mayor and Common Council in the city of Oshkosh got under way Jan. 23 with a call for opening statements.
The debates are being conducted using Web log software and will function up until the general election in April.
The online format could prove particularly useful to citizens because the fields for mayor and Common Council are unusually crowded, with 14 citizens running for Council and five for mayor.
As noted in today’s Oshkosh Northwestern, the large number of candidates may make it difficult for them to differentiate themselves from competitors. In addition, traditional candidate forums, whether in person or on television, will have to impose shorter time limits for candidate answers so that all those running can have a chance to be heard.
By contrast, the online format allows candidates to respond without restriction. The format also can make it easier for voters to compare and contrast the views of the candidates, in part because the information is available around the clock.
The online forums are sponsored by the Oshkosh Community News Network, the Oshkosh League of Women Voters and the Oshkosh Public Library and will be accessible from the OCNN Web site, www.OshkoshNews.org, and from the library’s Web site.
The URL for the Common Council debate is http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshCommonCouncil/index.html
The URL for the mayoral debate is
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/index.html
The debates are being conducted using Web log software and will function up until the general election in April.
The online format could prove particularly useful to citizens because the fields for mayor and Common Council are unusually crowded, with 14 citizens running for Council and five for mayor.
As noted in today’s Oshkosh Northwestern, the large number of candidates may make it difficult for them to differentiate themselves from competitors. In addition, traditional candidate forums, whether in person or on television, will have to impose shorter time limits for candidate answers so that all those running can have a chance to be heard.
By contrast, the online format allows candidates to respond without restriction. The format also can make it easier for voters to compare and contrast the views of the candidates, in part because the information is available around the clock.
The online forums are sponsored by the Oshkosh Community News Network, the Oshkosh League of Women Voters and the Oshkosh Public Library and will be accessible from the OCNN Web site, www.OshkoshNews.org, and from the library’s Web site.
The URL for the Common Council debate is http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshCommonCouncil/index.html
The URL for the mayoral debate is
http://www.oshkoshnews.org/OshkoshMayor/index.html
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