From the Moderator: A Few More Public Square Answers

Leftovers from Monday's Public Square include these questions received during and after the program:

Why the unprecedented 10 a.m. start?

It was the only time we could schedule both Rep. Eric I. Cantor and Rep. Robert TOM
SILVESTRI
"Bobby" Scott. Congress is in session, limiting options. Normally, the Public Square starts at 7 p.m. on either a Monday or Tuesday.

What else made this Public Square different?

We took the No. 1 national issue and put the two political sides in the front of the room to debate and discuss.

Will you have another Public Square on health care?

Given its importance, yes. We'll look at upcoming slots.

Why was there only one microphone? Usually there are as many as four.

With an at-capacity audience, we were advised by the fire marshal to limit any lines in which people stand for long periods. We compromised by limiting the speaker line to five at a time.

Why did you limit audience comments to two minutes?

Virtually everyone who showed up wanted to speak. The Public Square is 90 minutes. We set the limit in the spirit of allowing as many speakers as possible.

Why only 185 seats?

That's how many fit comfortably in our auditorium so we can comply with the fire marshal's regulations.

Was this the largest crowd for a Public Square?

Yes, for downtown. Health care reform competed with Public Squares on immigration, crime in our region, and affordable housing for biggest-crowd honors.

Why isn't the Public Square broadcast live on TV?

The Public Square is all about face-to-face conversation and engagement. We don't want people to stay home and passively watch. We want them to be in the room as active participants.

Monday's civil conversation was covered by local stations, which also interviewed Cantor, Scott, and attendees. As we have with other Public Squares, this one was broadcast live on TimesDispatch.com.

Were you shocked by how civil the discussion was?

No.

There was plenty of angst, passion, frustration, concern, anger, and uncertainty in the room. But the mix of emotions was held in check by a general agreement to respectfully listen to the comments and to follow a speaking process.

I thought the congressmen also set the tone by starting first with what they agreed on, before drawing lines on disagreements. But the real star was the audience.

Tom Silvestri is president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He also serves as moderator of the Public Squares. Contact him at (804) 649-6121 or .