For Release: Sept. 10, 2007
The second of two forums hosted by public television talk-show host Tavis Smiley with candidates for president of the United States -- this time featuring Republicans -- is scheduled to air live Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9/8 p.m. CT on KET1. The Democratic presidential forum was held in June.All-American Presidential Forums marks the first time that a panel composed exclusively of journalists of color are represented in a primetime presidential forum. The candidates will be asked about issues ranging from healthcare and housing to Katrina relief, the economy and the environment, among others outlined in Smiley's New York Times best-seller, The Covenant with Black America . It will be held at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
"These forums reflect PBS's commitment to informing the public on the key issues in the next presidential campaign, and we are especially delighted that Tavis Smiley, who is so knowledgeable on these topics, will serve as moderator," said PBS P resident and C hief E xecutive O fficer Paula A. Kerger.
When The Covenant with Black America was released in 2006, both the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee pledged that their respective presidential candidates would address the issues outlined in the book. Edited by Smiley, the book outlines 10 of the most pressing issues facing African Americans.
All-American Presidential Forums is produced by TS Media, Inc. , and presented by KCET/ Los Angeles . More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.