American Blog Announces Strategic Internet Deal with Tavis Smiley, Hosting two Presidential Forums - Airing June 28 and September 27 on PBS Stations Nationwide

American Blog Announces Strategic Internet Deal with Tavis Smiley, Hosting two Presidential Forums - Airing June 28 and September 27 on PBS Stations Nationwide

Tavis Smiley Moderates Live Broadcast From Howard University; American Blog will host citizen commentary and dialogue via its 50-state Blog Network

SAUSALITO, Calif., June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Blog, Inc., (http://americanblog.org/) today announced a strategic alliance with Tavis Smiley, whereby American Blog will provide Internet Blogging support to the "All-American Presidential Forums on PBS" moderated by Tavis Smiley, host of "Tavis Smiley" on PBS late-night talk show.

All eight Democratic presidential candidates (Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson) have confirmed they will participate in the first of two Presidential forums on June 28, 2007, from 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET, at Howard University in Washington, DC. Questions to the candidates will be posed by Smiley and journalists Michel Martin of National Public Radio, nationally syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. and USA Today and Gannett News Service columnist DeWayne Wickham. The event will be televised live on PBS.

American Blog will capture the forum questions and send them out via the Internet across American Blog's fast-growing 50-state blog network. Citizens in the Blogosphere can log in to the state where they live and "enter the forum" - by discussing and commenting on any of the candidates' responses, within and across the USA.

"All-American Presidential Forums on PBS" moderated by Tavis Smiley, marks the first time that a panel exclusively comprised of journalists of color will be represented in primetime. The candidates will be asked about issues ranging from healthcare and housing to Katrina relief, the economy and the environment, among others outlined in the #1 New York Times best-seller, Covenant With Black America.

"For this historic event," said Smiley, "We are pleased to be able to open the discussion to all Americans, who through American Blog's (http://www.americanblog.com/) 50-state online network, will be able to engage in the conversation, express their views, and comment on the views of 'neighbors' from the entire spectrum of our society."

Smiley continued, "From the title to the format, the 'All-American Presidential Forums on PBS' (http://www.newyorkblog.org/) was created to provide fresh perspectives and an unprecedented level of inclusion for all Americans in general, and people of color in particular, in these critical discussions about our country's future. As the candidates express their positions and discuss the issues, the American public can join American Blog's community of Bloggers and engage in the discussion as it unfolds."

A second forum for Republican presidential candidates will be held on September 27, 2007, on the campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. American Blog will also support this forum in the same manner.

"We believe these Forums will be rich ground for the American public to join in and discuss the critical issues of the day," said John Boone, founder and CEO of American Blog. "We are proud to have a part in connecting Americans with one another, and giving them a voice in this crucial election process."

Immediate public feedback on the performance of the candidates will be conducted by noted pollster Frank Luntz, who will also appear on "Tavis Smiley" Friday, June 29, 2007, on PBS the following evening to discuss his findings.

The "All-American Presidential Forums" will be simultaneously webcast on PBS.org, and video of both events will be archived for download and viewing on the Web site. American Blog will provide a link to the webcast archives so Bloggers can view the content while expressing their views on their personal blog rolls.

About American Blog

American Blog, Inc., founded 2005, is designed to promote collaboration and conversations between citizens, educators, politicians, students, and the community. American Blog's state-by-state blog network presents an unique opportunity to use technology to bring the community together in an authentic learning event. American Blog, Inc. engages the motivational force of technology for citizens to participate in discussions and the authentic publication of their work. In addition to the technology, the interaction adds a vital creative element that goes well beyond the limitations of the typical journal experience. The 50 associated American Blog sites provide a free blogging venue for anyone wanting to write about the attractions, peculiarities, political activities or any aspect of the goings-on of their state or region. Each state Blog carries relevant topic categories including Arts & Entertainment, Politics, Business & Finance, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Sports, Technology, and Travel.

To further encourage new Bloggers, the site is designed to be simple to use. Upon visiting http://www.americanblog.org/, new Bloggers can post their first Web log in minutes.

About Tavis Smiley

TAVIS SMILEY is the host of "Tavis Smiley" on PBS and "The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI" and the author/editor of 11 books, including The New York Times best-sellers Covenant With Black America and What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America. His latest book, THE COVENANT in Action is in stores now. For more information, visit http://www.tavistalks.com/.

"All-American Presidential Forums on PBS" is produced by TS Media, Inc., and presented by KCET Los Angeles. Tavis Smiley is executive producer and Neal Kendall will serve as producer.

About PBS

PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches more than 75 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: American Blog, Inc.

CONTACT: Justin Winabali, of American Blog, Inc., +1-415-828-0600,
fax +1-415-598-1445, info@americanblog.org

Web site:

http://www.americanblog.org/
http://www.pbs.org/

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