Debate Will Feature Clinton-Obama Positions on Health Care Followed by Straw Poll

BECKLEY, W.V., Mar. 28 /PRNewswire/ --

BECKLEY, W.V., March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raleigh County League of Democratic Women will conduct a mock debate and straw poll this Tuesday on presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

"We're not expecting the candidates themselves to appear," League President Sally Susman said. "But each one will be represented by two local volunteers supporting the candidate's position."

The April 1 debate will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Raleigh County Public Library. West Virginia's primary election is scheduled for May 13.

Members of each team will base their answers on their best understanding of their candidate's position on four or five issues, mainly on health care. The audience will be allowed to ask a limited number of questions and will rate the teams on each topic. At the end, a straw vote will determine which side wins the debate.

The league decided to focus on health care issues affecting southern West Virginia for the debate, because the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women has made health care its main focus for 2008.

"It should be a fun and informative evening," Susman said. "Certainly, it will be timely. As always, guests and candidates are welcome. Bring your voter registration card. If you're not registered to vote, we will have people available who can get you registered. It's important to have people participate in the election."