‘Survivor’-style Denver mayoral debate may be best candidate debate ever

Accepting the fact that electoral politics is as much entertainment as politics and that all entertainment must now include text-message voting, youth-voter organization NewEra Colorado is gathering Denver’s mayoral candidates for a debate that will embrace our fully mediated reality-teevee era. Scheduled for Wednesday evening, the debate will subject candidates to Denver trivia questions in addition to more standard policy questions. The candidates will answer to live-audience members, video participants and a panel of experts. Denver Fox News reporter Eli Stokols will play the panel’s Steven Tyler. Ellen Dumm of the Campaign for a Strong Colorado will play J-Lo.

From a NewEra release:

CANDIDATE SURVIVOR: A FREEWHEELING ALTERNATIVE CANDIDATE DEBATE FOR THE DENVER MAYOR’S RACE

New Era Colorado to host an innovative, fresh political debate for the Denver Mayoral candidates with a focus on youth issues

WHAT: An alternative candidate debate for the Denver Mayor’s race, free and open to the public, that will involve a ‘survivor’ theme where candidates will go through several rounds, culminating with a round where the audience will be voting for their favorite candidates using text message voting. The top six contenders for mayor will be attending and debating issues facing young people in Denver. It will be an opportunity for Denver residents to get to know the candidates’ personalities as well as their positions on issues important to young voters: education, economy, medical marijuana, and other social issues.

WHO: The debate is hosted by New Era Colorado and OneColorado and co-hosted by Planned Parenthood Votes Colorado, and 9to5 NAWW. Denver Westword is a media sponsor.

Mayor candidates include Carol Boigon, James Mejia, Michael Hancock, Chris Romer, Doug Linkhart, and Theresa Spahn

A panel of judges on stage includes AM760 radio host Mario Solis-Marich, Eli Stokols of Fox 31 and KWGN, and Ellen Dumm of the Campaign for a Strong Colorado.

WHEN: Wed. April 6th, 2011
Doors: 6:00pm | Show: 7:00pm

WHERE: Casselman’s Bar & Venue
2620 Walnut Street
Denver, CO 80205

VISUAL : The candidates will be seated on stage and interacting with the audience and fielding questions from the panel of judges. Through a series of lightning round questions, video questions, Denver trivia and questions on substantive issues facing young people today, the candidates will face rounds of voting and a panel of judges to ‘survive’ the debate.

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