Vice presidential debate watch parties

The vice presidential debate between Democratic candidate Sen. Joe Biden and Republican candidate Gov. Sarah Palin begins at 8 p.m. Thursday. PBS correspondent Gwen Ifill will moderate the debate. Here's the list I have so far; if you know of a watch party, e-mail me at ccsledge@tennessean.com.

Lipscomb University
Where: Shamblin Theatre, Lipscomb campus (3901 Granny White Pike)
When: 8 p.m.
Contact: 966-6494

Tennessee Democratic Party
Where: TN Obama ’08 Campaign Headquarters, 907 Rosa Parks Blvd.
When: Doors open at 5 p.m.; party begins at 6:30 p.m.
Contact: 244-1244

Tennessee Republican Party
Where: Limelight, 201 Woodland Street
When: Doors open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door (must be 21 and older)
Contact: 269-4260

Events of the Day/Week: The race gets religion

Author Shane Claiborne (Jesus for President) will be showing up three nights in a row around Nashville, speaking about politics and Christianity and serving the poor. Claiborne is one of the best-known leaders of the New Monastics, whom I can best describe as a cross among hippies, hipsters and monks (although you can be married). Claiborne kicks off his Nashville mini-tour tonight at Collins Alumni Auditorium at Lipscomb University at 7 p.m., then follows with lectures Tuesday at Vanderbilt's Benton Chapel at 2 p.m. and at Westminster Presbyterian Church (3900 West End Ave.) at 7:30 p.m., and finally at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Belmont Heights Baptist Church (2100 Belmont Blvd.). All events are free and open to the public.

Also on Wednesday, author Stephen Mansfield (The Faith of Barack Obama) will appear at The Commons Center at Vanderbilt as part of a discussion on race, religion and politics. Mansfield, a conservative evangelical who has also written about President Bush, surprised some folks when he wrote what is considered a fairly pro-Obama analysis. The discussion, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. on the Commons campus near Peabody College.

(Photo courtesy of Lipscomb University)

Seigenthalers to discuss media ethics

It looks like tomorrow’s debate at Ole Miss will proceed as scheduled, as will a discussion headed by Tennessean publisher emeritus John Seigenthaler and son John Seigenthaler Jr. The two will discuss ethics and the media’s coverage of the election at Belmont Friday morning.

Seigenthaler, who covered the John F. Kennedy campaign in 1960 before going to work for the Kennedy administration, said he expects to discuss both the topics covered so far to the coverage itself, especially on the Internet.

“Our most recent poll showed that 17 percent of the public says they get most of their news from online … and in the 18-35 group I’m sure it’s going to be significantly higher than that,” Seigenthaler said. “The emergence of young voters in this election, I think, is a direct result of their online communication.”

The actual turnout of those young voters, Seigenthaler said, hinges on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s appeal to first-time voters and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s ability to mobilize young evangelicals.

The talk, which is free and open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. in the Frist Lecture Hall on the fourth floor of the Gordon E. Inman Center. Seigenthaler will later be at Shamblin Theatre at Lipscomb University for the school’s Ole Miss debate watch party.

List of Ole Miss debate watch parties

Here’s a list of Ole Miss debate watch parties I have so far; e-mail me at ccsledge@tennessean.com to get yours included. Remember, the debate starts at 8 p.m. CDT Friday.

Belmont University
Where: Belmont Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary, 2100 Belmont Blvd.
Time: 7 p.m.
Hosts: Belmont debate coach Jason Stahl, political scientist Vaughn May
Accompanying events: Belmont College Republicans and Young Democrats will host a roundtable discussion after the debate.
Contact: debate08@mail.belmont.edu

Lipscomb University
Where: Shamblin Theatre on Lipscomb’s campus, 3901 Granny White Pike
Time: 8 p.m.
Hosts: Tennessean publisher emeritus John Seigenthaler, foreign policy historian Howard Jones
Contact: Janel Shoun, janel.shoun@lipscomb.edu

Middle Tennessee Ole Miss Club
Where: The Closing Bell — Wall Street Pub, 1524 Demonbreun St
Time: 7 p.m.
Host: Middle Tennessee Ole Miss Club
Accompanying events: Trivia before the debate
Contact: Martin Michael, martinmichael@comcast.net

Music Row 4 McCain
Where: Sam’s Sports Bar, 1803 21st Avenue South
Time: 7 p.m.
Host: Music Row 4 McCain, a grassroots organization of songwriters and producers for McCain-Palin
Contact: Bob Schwartz, 615-419-9615

Nashville Democratic Headquarters
Where: Nashville Democratic HQ, 907 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Time: 6 p.m.
Host: Victory 2008 Campaign
Accompanying events: Obama Tennessee Director Jerry Martin speaks at 7 p.m.
Contact: David Shankle, 615-244-1244

Lipscomb stakes claim on debates

While Belmont will get an untold amount of publicity in the next month, the school down the boulevard is doing its own thing for the debates. Lipscomb University will hold a free lecture tonight at its Ezell Center (7:30 p.m.) with political science professor Michael Nelson of Rhodes College in Memphis. Nelson is also the author of several books, including how we Southerners all became riverboat gamblers.

Lipscomb will also hold a debate viewing party Friday for the Ole Miss debate with Tennessean publisher emeritus John Seigenthaler. For more info on Lipscomb's debate events, click here.