About

As part of the Miller Center's mission to research, reflect, and report on issues of national importance to the governance of the country, Director Gerald L. Baliles conceived a new initiative: the National Discussion and Debate Series. The goal of the Series is to elevate the level of understanding and civility about the major issues of our time, and to contribute to the national conversation with a vigorous, thoughtful, civil discussion that educates people and provokes dialogue.

In June 2007, we announced a partnership with MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, an award-winning leader in public affairs broadcasting since 1981, to produce the debates. MLP's achievements include more than 30 awards for journalistic excellence, including a Peabody Award, an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award, and a Television Critics Circle Award. "We are delighted to partner with the Miller Center on this debate series," said MLP President Les Crystal. "The Center's commitment to serious discussion of the critical issues facing our citizens meshes well with the mission of MLP since its founding." The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer airs highlights from each debate.

During the first season, in 2007–08, we debated five issues of national importance: troop levels in Iraq; privacy in post-9/11 America; religion in the public square; universal health care; and immigration policy. We worked with the Pew Research Center to ensure that we selected topics foremost on the minds of voters.

The second season, in 2009, focused on "Priorities for a New President" — examining some of the issues at the top of President Obama's agenda: infrastructure; curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions; the future of affirmative action; and America's energy future.

At each event, four debaters, two on each side, illuminate the many facets of these issues. They are drawn from the ranks of practitioners, public intellectuals, business and religious leaders, and academics; no current candidates for public office are invited to debate. Skilled, nationally known moderators preside.

Public television stations, including the PBSWorld digital channel, and public radio have carried the debates. The first season's debates were carried by more than 60% of PBS affiliates nationwide. The entire series is also webcast live and archived, along with the debate transcripts, at www.millercenter.org/debates. This site is the NDDS' home for research and supporting materials, including a "white paper" written by a leading scholar on the debate topic, copies of primary source documents, links to articles, interactive maps, video and audio, and lesson plans for high school and college classes. The Miller Center has also created pages on YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace to encourage a vibrant national dialogue on these critical issues.

We believe that informed, civil discussion can make a profound impact on the life of our nation. Our sincere hope is that these debates will increase understanding and facilitate a deeper level of engagement in public affairs.

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Chidester
Chair, National Discussion and Debate Series
Miller Center of Public Affairs
434-924-7330