Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1995-09-17

Duration: 01:35:30

Subjects: Elections, 1995 | Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1995 | Politics | Television debates | Louisiana's Old State Capitol (Baton Rouge, La.) | COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA | Roemer, Buddy | Schwegmann, Melinda B., 1946- | PREIS, PHIL | Jefferson, William J. (William Jennings), 1947- | Fields, Cleo | Adley, Robert R. | Landrieu, Mary, 1955- | Foster, Mike, Jr., 1930- | Political ethics | Education | TEACHERS | MEDICAID | Block grants | CRIME PREVENTION | Gambling | Rural health services | Health care reform | Transportation | Highways | Drugs | Crime | REFERENDUMS

Contributors:

• Abel, Mike Photographer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Photographer
• Langlois, Bryant Photographer
• Normand, Keith Photographer
• Woods, Virnado Photographer
• Eaglin, Carlos Director
• Miranda, Chris Director
• Landry, Ed Associate Producer
• Allen, Gary Producer
• Collins, Robert Moderator
• Roemer, Buddy Panelist
• Schwegmann, Melinda Panelist
• Preis, Phil Panelist
• Jefferson, William Panelist
• Fields, Cleo Panelist
• Adley, Robert Panelist
• Landrieu, Mary Panelist
• Foster, Mike Panelist
• Redman, Carl Interviewer
• Spurlock, Kathy Interviewer
• Duhe, Jeff Interviewer
• Courtney, Beth Speaker
• Harrell, Louis Interviewer
• Moore, Patrick Interviewer
• Latiolis, Carmelita Interviewer
• Sawyer, Bill Interviewer
• King, Willie Interviewer

The first part of a live debate held on September 17, 1995, at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge between eight gubernatorial candidates: Former Governor Buddy Roemer (R); Lieutenant Governor Melinda Schwegmann (D); Baton Rouge Businessman Phil Preis (D); Congressman William Jefferson (D); Congressman Cleo Fields (D); State Representative Robert Adley (D); State Treasurer Mary Landrieu (D); and State Senator Mike Foster (R). The debate was sponsored by the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) as a part of its voter awareness project, “The People’s Agenda.” It was moderated by Robert Collins of Louisiana Public Broadcasting and featured three rounds of questions. For the first round, the candidates were asked questions by a panel of three journalists: Carl Redman of the Baton Rouge Advocate, Kathy Spurlock of the Monroe News-Star and Jeff Duhe of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Their questions were related to the following topics: why the people should trust their leadership; improving education; the reforms they can deliver in their first months in office; the key advisors in their administration; unifying the state’s voting constituencies; Medicaid; how to spend federal block grants; improving the state’s reputation; and crime prevention. For the second round, the questions were asked by citizens throughout the state. Their questions covered the following topics: gambling; improving education; revitalizing health care in rural areas; improving highways; and maintaining ethics while enacting change. For the third round, each candidate was able to ask one question of another candidate. These questions covered the following issues: combating the state’s drug problem; why Congressman Jefferson would make a good governor; and allowing the people to put issues on the ballot. The conclusion of the third round of questions is available in the second part of this debate.