By — Christina Bellantoni Christina Bellantoni Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/first-debate-to-feature-three-sections-on-economy Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter First Debate To Feature Three Sections on Economy Politics Sep 19, 2012 3:55 PM EDT Moderator Jim Lehrer plans to spend half of the Oct. 3 Presidential debate on the economy. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday that moderator Jim Lehrer has selected the topics for the first meeting between President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. This domestic policy debate will feature six, 15-minute segments: three about the economy, a discussion on health care, the role of government and governing. Lehrer noted the topics could change based on news developments, and will not necessarily be in that order. The Oct. 3 forum at the University of Denver will begin at 9 p.m. ET and last 90 minutes. Watch Lehrer discuss his role as moderator here or below. Lehrer describes why he changed his mind about no longer moderating debates in this August interview. Tune into your PBS affiliate to watch Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff co-anchor our debate special Oct. 3, and each evening there is an official debate. Mark Shields and David Brooks will join them for analysis. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Christina Bellantoni Christina Bellantoni
Moderator Jim Lehrer plans to spend half of the Oct. 3 Presidential debate on the economy. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday that moderator Jim Lehrer has selected the topics for the first meeting between President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. This domestic policy debate will feature six, 15-minute segments: three about the economy, a discussion on health care, the role of government and governing. Lehrer noted the topics could change based on news developments, and will not necessarily be in that order. The Oct. 3 forum at the University of Denver will begin at 9 p.m. ET and last 90 minutes. Watch Lehrer discuss his role as moderator here or below. Lehrer describes why he changed his mind about no longer moderating debates in this August interview. Tune into your PBS affiliate to watch Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff co-anchor our debate special Oct. 3, and each evening there is an official debate. Mark Shields and David Brooks will join them for analysis. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now