Intelligence Squared U.S. Announces Results of Season Opening Debate

Intelligence Squared U.S. Announces Results of Season Opening Debate

Live Audience Says Spreading Democracy in the Middle East is a Bad Idea

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Intelligence Squared U.S., the Oxford style, three-on-three debate series sponsored by The Rosenkranz Foundation, announced the results of Tuesday night's debate on the motion, "Spreading Democracy in the Middle East is a Bad Idea." A packed audience at Asia Society and Museum, New York City voted 46% for the motion and 36% against at the conclusion of the debate. Eighteen percent were undecided.

Panelists for the debate included Flynt Leverett, Dimitri Simes and Shelby Telhami speaking for the motion. Liz Cheney, Danielle Pletka and Natan Sharansky spoke against the motion. Robert Siegel, senior host of NPR(R)'s "All Things Considered," served as moderator.

"We were thrilled to be able to kick off our fall season with a debate on such a timely and provocative topic," said Robert Rosenkranz, chairman of The Rosenkranz Foundation. "These debates demonstrate that it is possible to have a civil and meaningful discussion on topics that are usually quite polarizing," he added.

Intelligence Squared polls its audience on each motion before and after every debate. At the start of Tuesday's debate, the audience voted 55% for the motion that spreading democracy in the Middle East is a bad idea, with 45% against and 5% undecided.

The Intelligence Squared U.S. debate, "Spreading Democracy in the Middle East is a Bad Idea," will air on PBS's flagship station, Thirteen/WNET New York, on Sunday, September 23rd at 12:00 PM.

Subsequent motions for the Intelligence Squared U.S. fall 2007 season include:

-- Let's Stop Welcoming Undocumented Immigrants - October 9, 2007
-- Russia is Becoming Our Enemy Again - October 30, 2007
-- It's Time to End Affirmative Action - November 13, 2007
-- Aid to Africa has Done More Harm than Good - December 4, 2007

To view transcripts and videos or learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. please visit: http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/.

About Intelligence Squared U.S. and The Rosenkranz Foundation

Intelligence Squared U.S. is a New York-based initiative of The Rosenkranz Foundation; the executive producer is Dana Wolfe. Designed to raise the level of public discourse, the Oxford style, three-on-three debate series is the U.S. version of a London-based program. Since September 2006, the series has attracted sold-out crowds in New York City. Intelligence Squared U.S. provides a forum for intelligent discussion and encourages the recognition that the opposition has intellectually respectable views. For more information about Intelligence Squared U.S., please visit www.intelligencesquaredus.org.

The Rosenkranz Foundation was established in 1985 to encourage the highest level of achievement and innovation in public policy, higher education and the arts. It seeks to promote fresh and effective intellectual perspectives. The foundation is committed to promoting intellectual diversity in public policy discourse and higher education. For more information about The Rosenkranz Foundation, please visit www.rosenkranzfdn.org.

Web site: http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org

http://www.rosenkranzfdn.org

Source: Intelligence Squared U.S.

CONTACT: Alexandra McDougald of The Weiser Group, for Intelligence
Squared U.S., +1-917-202-9944, amcdougald@weisergroup.com

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