In a live broadcast expected to reach nearly 100,000 voters tonight, Oct. 14, in the 11th District, incumbent Congressman Heath Shuler and his Republican challenger Jeff Miller will appear together on WLOS in an informal “sit down” with news anchor Russ Bowen. The candidates will answer pre-selected questions from Facebook and the segments will air during the 5:00 news broadcast. It’s the first televised debate between congressional candidates in the 11th District in almost 20 years.
According to Bowen, neither camp insisted on any pre-conditions, no subject is off-limits and the candidates will not know what questions will be asked. While not a “debate” in the strictest sense, the conversation will allow the two candidates — who have been in a contentious battle for the seat — to answer questions and to respond to one another face-to-face for the very first time.
Xpress reporters Michael Muller and Jake Frankel visited the WLOS studios last night for a behind-the-scenes tour of the studio and to get a preview of the big event.
In this video, Muller joins Bowen behind the WLOS anchor desk to get the inside scoop on the forum and how it came about:
In this next video, Muller goes behind the scenes with Bowen and fellow anchor Darcel Grimes and talks to them about the candidate forum and what it’s like to work together at the station:
And in this segment, WLOS stage manager “Rooster” and Bowen give Muller a tour of the studio and explain some of the technical considerations of staging the event:
Videos by Jake Frankel.
Good videos, Muller et al!!!
It’s too bad I can’t get WLOS over the air where I live in Franklin.
Thanks for the info, y’all. Looks like you had fun.
Excellent this should be good tonight. This race is not about Pelosi or national issues but who is best to represent us in WNC. For me that’s Congressman Shuler.
Whether its the environment, jobs, social security, or a host of other issues, he been with us.
Miller would be a disaster for WNC supporting republican policies that nearly destroyed our economy.
I urge all Progressive Democrat Shuler fence-sitters to view this “debate” tonight for a real eye-opener.
Early voting starts today.
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I agree with coolguy. While Shuler is not as progressive as I would like ( NO votes on healthcare reform, member of Blue Dogs,etc.) I believe he is much more in tune with the voters of this district than Miller. Miller would vote with the corporate lapdogs that make up the Radical Right Rethuglicans 99% of the time, while forgetting all about what we need here in WNC. Get out and vote for Shuler.
When a real alternative arrives to replace Shuler, then i could see voting for him/her. But voting for Miller MERELY because he is not Shuler? That would be silly. Voting against someone is counter-productive and not very practical.
want to ask both candidates to explain their feelings on this one..As a seniour citizen who alobg with my husband worked 30+ yrs for social security I am glad to forgo a raise or cost of living as our country in on the brink of financial ruin, but I do find it hard to understand that american citizens worked hard for their benefits so how do you explain all these illegals getting so many freebies from our government. food stams, healthcare,and in many cases social security benefits and assisted housing??????????????????
…yeah, BUT, most of the time the NC demopublicans have your elections so tightly controlled that there is never another choice to vote for. NC has about the most oppressive ballot access of any state, brought to you BY the controlling party for decades.
Oohh.. reporters interviewing reporters about stuff.
Bet you get a twitter award for that.
Local maters, and there is nothing more local than gazing at one’s own navel.
“Take that to mean what you want, it probably does.”