Mika Brzezinski and Monica Crowley in an election debate at Fairfield University October 27 | Press Releases

As the election draws near and the presidential candidates continue an increasingly rigorous pace on the campaign trail, two respected journalists, one from the left, Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC and, one from the right Monica Crowley, Ph.D., syndicated radio show host and television commentator, will appear at Fairfield University on Monday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts, to engage one another and the audience with their opposing points of view of this unprecedented moment in U. S. electoral history.

On the morning after Secretary Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President, Brzezinski welcomed her father, former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski to the Morning Joe show for a splash-of-cold-water-exchange with her and her co-hosts about his view of what the endorsement is "symbolically in history." His answer: "It is very significant." The segment ended with her guest's harsh assessment of the secondary position the U. S. has adopted in the global financial crisis, "We are not even able to lead ... doesn't that tell you something about the quality of our leadership and the state we're in?" Mika Brzezinski reiterated her father's pronouncement that "We are in deep crisis" and commented that it was sure to wake up the morning audience as she let out a breath and admitted that he had depressed her with his insights.

On the other side, Crowley's blog of Oct. 19 warned the "Obama-ites, (a) loud and rambunctious group" that "dominate the airwaves and proclaim their candidate loudly," of "another group of Americans out there who are quieter, more reserved, but no less proud of THEIR candidate. They are the great SILENT majority. They are Joe the Plumber. They are us ... We may be quiet, but we are fierce."

Fairfield's Department of Politics is a collegial partner with Open VISIONS Forum in sponsoring the event. OVF director and moderator Professor Philip Eliasoph joins politics Professor John Orman onstage with questions for the speakers. Professor Orman states, "This is a great election between two great candidates." Decided voters as well as undecided voters, be aware: This promises to be a lively debate and a stimulating and enlightening evening for all.

Tickets are $45 and are available online at www.fairfield.edu/openvisions or by calling the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396.