317 Fifth St., Ames, IA 50010 | 515-232-2160 | Amestrib.

com | Stephens Media Iowa LLC

August 22, 2012

Ms. Christie Vilsack 600 5th Street, Suite 300 Ames, IA 50010 Dear Ms. Vilsack: It is with regret that we must tell you that the debate between you and Congressman Steve King, scheduled for Sept. 22 at Iowa State University, cannot take place under conditions outlined by the congressmans campaign manager Monday. The sponsors, the Ames Tribune, the Ames Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of Ames and of Iowa, and the Iowa State University Committee on Lectures, have agreed that there are certain criteria that must be present if we are to lend our organizations names and support to a candidate debate. Among them are: There must be an opportunity for questions gathered from Fourth District constituents to be posed to each candidate by a panel selected by the sponsors. The event must be free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis, allowing for a certain number of reserved seats for each campaign but otherwise unrestricted by advance ticketing or other means.

Responding to a request of the King campaign, the sponsors revised our initial debate format to include a segment of unmoderated conversation between you and Mr. King on three topics to be chosen in advance. Two other segments consisted of questions posed to the candidates by a panel. However, King campaign manager Jake Ketzner indicated Monday that the only format the King campaign would consider is a 90-minute conversation between you and Mr. King on topics

agreed to ahead of time. There would be no panel, Mr. Ketzner said, and attendance must be controlled by advance ticketing. It is unfortunate that the King campaign has declined our invitation. We appreciate that your campaign found our proposal acceptable, and we thank you for agreeing to participate. Sincerely, Alexandra Hayne Editor Ames Tribune Linda Murken President League of Women Voters of Ames Pat Miller Director, Lectures Program Iowa State University Dan Culhane President and CEO Ames Chamber of Commerce

Delivered via email. Hard copy to follow in first-class mail.