Kirk proposes seven debates/forums for Senate race

 
 
Same locations and dates of the first and last Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858;
 
Foreign policy debate on August 21st in Ottawa, economic policy debate on October 15th in Alton, wide-ranging debate October 18th in Chicago
 
Northbrook, IL – Congressman Mark Kirk has proposed seven U.S. Senate debates and candidate forums beginning August 21st in Ottawa, Illinois – the date and location of the first of seven Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858.
 
“Our country faces serious issues at home and abroad,” Congressman Kirk said.  “I look forward to a thoughtful series of debates and forums to discuss the complex economic and foreign policy challenges before us while demonstrating the clear choice facing voters in this election.”
 
In addition to a foreign policy debate on August 21st in Ottawa and an economic policy debate on October 15th in Alton – the dates and locations of the first and last Lincoln-Douglas debates – the Kirk campaign’s proposal includes:
 

 
August 21: A foreign policy focused debate in Ottawa, Illinois hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
 
August 22: A Middle East policy candidate forum in Northbrook, Illinois hosted by To Protect Our Heritage.
 
August 25: An agriculture and jobs candidate forum in Bloomington, Illinois hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau.
 
September 2: A wide-ranging debate in Springfield, Illinois (proposed hosts: WICS-TV, the Citizens Club of Springfield and the University of Illinois-Springfield).
 
October 15: An economic policy focused debate in Alton, Illinois (proposed host: KTVI Fox St. Louis).
 
October 19: A wide-ranging debate in Chicago, Illinois hosted by the League of Women Voters and ABC 7.
 
October 21: A wide-ranging debate in Carbondale, Illinois (proposed hosts: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, WSIU-TV and the Southern Illinoisan).