2006 Gubernatorial Election Overview

The Citizen Voice
In May 2006, We the People/Wisconsin polled citizens across the state to determine a citizen-based agenda for election coverage. With the help of major newspapers across the state, WTP then recruited a diverse group of more than thirty citizens to represent the citizen voice during the project. The goal, to identify issues most important to citizens in this election; educate them on both sides of the issues; track them throughout the months leading up to the election; and have them ask questions of the candidates during two gubernatorial debates prior to the election.

Learning About the Issues
In July, WTP convened this citizen group in Stevens Point for an intense one-day informative session. During that meeting, WTP brought in experts to educate citizens on both sides of key topics facing the election. These break-out sessions were followed by group discussions with each candidate to learn their views on the issues in an informal setting.

The Media
The We the People media partnership includes the Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Public Television, WISC-TV (CBS, Madison), Wisconsin Public Radio, and WisPolitics.com. Additional media from across the state will join in promotional efforts to attract the attention of readers, viewers and listeners. Media partners will report on the findings of the poll and information session and coordinate comprehensive coverage of key topics throughout the summer. Click on "Links" to see current articles.

The Debates
In the fall of 2006, We the People will produce two live, statewide gubernatorial debates. The first debate will air Friday, Sept. 15th from Waukesha and will focus on “Taxes and the Economy.” The second debate will air Friday, Oct. 20th from La Crosse and will focus on Quality of Life issues such as health care and education.

The topics are a result of the information learned from citizen polls and sessions held earlier in the summer, with many of the citizens present to ask questions of the candidates during the debates. This citizen group will also have an opportunity to follow up with the candidates on what they said, or didn't say, during the hour, and hold those candidates accountable to the issues and topics most important to the citizens of Wisconsin.

Watch the Debates:Gov. Jim Doyle (D) v. Rep. Mark Green (R)
Friday, Sept. 15th, 2006 from 7 to 8 p.m.(CST)
WISC-TV (CBS, Madison)
WTMJ-TV (NBC, Milwaukee)
WGBA-TV (NBC, Green Bay)
WKBT-TV (CBS, La Crosse)
Wisconsin Public Television
Milwaukee Public Television
Wisconsin Public Radio

C-SPAN2 at 9 p.m.

Rebroadcast: Sunday, Sept. 17th, 2006 from 10 to 11 a.m.(CST)
Wisconsin Public Television

Click Here to Watch the First Debate using RealVideo

Friday, Oct. 20th, 2006 from 7 to 8 p.m.(CST)
WISC-TV (CBS, Madison)
WKBT-TV (CBS, La Crosse)
Wisconsin Public Television
Milwaukee Public Television
Wisconsin Public Radio

WTMJ-TV (NBC, Milwaukee) at 10:30 p.m.
WGBA-TV (NBC, Green Bay) at 10:30 p.m.

Rebroadcast: Sunday, Oct. 22nd, 2006 at 10:30 a.m.(CST)
Wisconsin Public Television

Click Here to Watch the Second Debate using RealVideo