The KDKA-TV mayoralty debate is back on, and that's good for everyone.  We need not rehash the short history of this on-again, off-again, on-again event to celebrate the fact that all three candidates -- Luke Ravenstahl, Patrick Dowd, and Carmen Robinson -- have now agreed to debate next week at KDKA Studios.  The debate will be aired on KDKA-TV on Saturday, May 2, at 7 pm.

   The format is going to be a bit more "relaxed" than traditional debates and, hopefully, more informative and entertaining (as much as a debate can be).  Ken Rice and I will be posing questions to the candidates who will also ask questions of each other.  Unlike the first debate in this race, Ken and I will allow rebuttal when it seems necessary to let a candidate "correct" a statement said about him or her.

   My own view of debates is that the best ones allow for interaction among the candidates -- a good back-and-forth that helps amplify the issues and demonstrates the candidate's knowledge and passion.  Candidates like to score points, but the public is more interested in style and substance. 

   Having been involved in candidate debates for years, I know that it's impossible to cover every point supporters and detractors would like to see.  If you want to share some question or thought about this upcoming debate with me, feel free to email me at jdelano@kdka.com or post below in comments.  

   In the end, most political analysts say that debates don't count for much -- unless a candidate screws up.  Who knows what will happen at the KDKA-TV debate, but that's why it's worth watching!