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Last updated 5:52 pm CT November 20, 2009.
GOP Candidates Debate
About Fifteen locations across the state were selected to receive a live feed of the event. There were five in Southern Illinois.
Those who attended the “watch parties” got one of the first glimpses of all seven candidates at once.
"It's an opportunity for voters here both Republicans and Democrats to get an opportunity to see the different candidates and how they perform in a live debate," said Jackson County Republican Party Chairman Bruce Wallace, noting that there are no significant debates scheduled in the region.
With seven candidates in the race voters have some sorting out to do.
In a ninety-minute debate broadcast via the internet candidates had to a chance to tell voters where they stand on events in the news now.
They answered questions on homeland security in light of Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood.
Candidates also weighed in on how they'd keep businesses like Transcraft Trailers-- which announced this week it will move jobs to Kentucky-- in Illinois.
When it comes to dealing with arguably the biggest issue facing the state, all seven candidates claimed they’d eliminate waste and fraud. No one mentioned raising taxes.
It was a lot of information from a lot of candidates, but Republicans say it was a good first chance to start sorting the Republicans out.
"Most often people vote for somebody not really knowing what they’re voting for, and you get somebody you may not want in office like a President or something,” said Jim Patrick of Crainville.
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