Citizens Gather For We The People Wisconsin Project
Project Aims To Involve Voters In Election Process
Posted: 9:48 pm CDT July 19, 2006Updated: 9:52 pm CDT July 19, 2006
STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The latest effort to connect the average citizen with political candidates got under way on Wednesday as 30 citizens gathered in Stevens Point to kick off the We The People Wisconsin project.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe citizens from across the state spent the morning and afternoon to hear experts speak on taxes, business, economic growth, education and a number of other issues important to the race for governor.During the all-day session, the citizens asked questions about important issues and developed their own questions for the candidates. At two live, statewide televised debates this fall, some of these 30 people will ask questions of Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Mark Green.Later in the afternoon, the citizens got a chance to ask any questions they wanted to Doyle and Green. Doyle attended the meeting, and Green joined via satellite. He was in Washington for an important Congressional vote on Wednesday."It helps people to be an informed voter before they go to the polls," said participant Hugo Henry. "They don't just show up to vote and think, 'I'll vote for him because he had a slick commercial, or I saw his yard signs all over town. But (instead voters ask), 'What are the issues that she or he are working on that are important to me."Participant Barbara Fischer, of Port Washington, said she enjoyed the experience."I have been very impressed by it. I think it gives the average citizen a chance to partake in the process. I have really enjoyed it," she said.We The People Wisconsin is a civic journalism project that began 14 years ago. The project is put on by a partnership between WISC-TV, Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Public Television and Radio, Wood Communications and wispolitics.com.As the debates get nearer, all the involved media outlets will be producing stories about the issues identified by the pool of voters.Look for our We the People Wisconsin stories starting in late August.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe citizens from across the state spent the morning and afternoon to hear experts speak on taxes, business, economic growth, education and a number of other issues important to the race for governor.During the all-day session, the citizens asked questions about important issues and developed their own questions for the candidates. At two live, statewide televised debates this fall, some of these 30 people will ask questions of Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Mark Green.Later in the afternoon, the citizens got a chance to ask any questions they wanted to Doyle and Green. Doyle attended the meeting, and Green joined via satellite. He was in Washington for an important Congressional vote on Wednesday."It helps people to be an informed voter before they go to the polls," said participant Hugo Henry. "They don't just show up to vote and think, 'I'll vote for him because he had a slick commercial, or I saw his yard signs all over town. But (instead voters ask), 'What are the issues that she or he are working on that are important to me."Participant Barbara Fischer, of Port Washington, said she enjoyed the experience."I have been very impressed by it. I think it gives the average citizen a chance to partake in the process. I have really enjoyed it," she said.We The People Wisconsin is a civic journalism project that began 14 years ago. The project is put on by a partnership between WISC-TV, Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Public Television and Radio, Wood Communications and wispolitics.com.As the debates get nearer, all the involved media outlets will be producing stories about the issues identified by the pool of voters.Look for our We the People Wisconsin stories starting in late August. Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
