Debate Reminder

Just a reminder about tomorrow's debate at Campbell County High School:

What: Northern Kentucky Democratic Gubernatorial Debate

Where: Campbell County High School auditorium, Claryville

When: 6 p.m.,Thursday

Who: Democratic candidates Steve Beshear, Gatewood Galbraith, Steve Henry, Otis Hensley, Bruce Lunsford, Jonathan Miller and Jody Richards.

Journalists panel: Stephenie Steitzer of the Courier-Journal, Misty Maynard of the Maysville Ledger Independent and Jack Brammer of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Yours truly has been reserved a spot in the press room. No wireless access for me so I won't be live-blogging but I will be taking notes and hope to have a recap online that evening.

It's worked at least on the second count. All seven of the candidates have committed to participate, said Paul L. Whalen, chairman of the event and a member of the Campbell County Democratic Committee, one of the groups sponsoring the debate.

"It's a novel way to attract the candidates and to allow them to see what the people of Northern Kentucky are thinking," said Whalen, a former Fort Thomas school board member.

The format of the program will allow each candidate a 60-second opening statement and a 90-second closing statement. In between, the candidates will take questions from a panel of four journalists - with the first candidate getting 60 seconds to answer and the other six 45 seconds apiece - and the questions from the students.

"Everyone will get an equal opportunity," Whalen said of the crowded field of former lieutenant governors Steve Beshear and Steve Henry; attorney Gatewood Galbraith; contractor Otis Hensley; businessman Bruce Lunsford; state Treasurer Jonathan Miller and House Speaker Jody Richards.

Organizers - who also include the Northern Kentucky Labor Council, Change for Northern Kentucky and the Northern Kentucky University College Democrats - are hoping to attract a crowd of about 200 people to the 700-seat auditorium.