Candidates agree to Web debate The Hall Institute of Public Policy-New Jersey has launched an initiative to encourage and increase citizen participation in the electoral process. An on-line "virtual debate" between New Jersey's candidates for the U.S. Senate began on July 4 on the Hall Institute Internet Web site at www.hallnj.org. The virtual debate - the first of its type in New Jersey - will run through Election Day in November, according to a press release. "The issues confronting our state are complex and varied and they have a profound impact on people's lives," said George E. Hall, a Monmouth County resident who founded the institute last year. "The virtual debate will provide a platform to sort out ideas and work collectively toward solutions." The two major candidates for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat - Democrat Robert Menendez and Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr. - have agreed to participate in the virtual debate. The winner will serve a six-year term in Washington, D.C. "We are honored that these two distinguished candidates are taking part in this bold experiment," Hall said. "This is an important innovation for the state of New Jersey." For the virtual debate, the institute is submitting questions to the candidates and posting the responses on its Web site. Candidates will have an opportunity to respond to each other, as well as to members of the public who post comments on the issues. Members of the public may suggest questions and/or topics for the debate by e-mailing senate06@hallnj.org. The Hall Institute's Debate Advisory Committee will review the submissions and then formulate the debate questions from research conducted by the institute and from a synthesis of the questions and issues raised by citizens, the media, public officials and leaders from the private and public sectors. According to the press release, the Hall Institute is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit foundation established to explore social, economic, educational and cultural issues. Located in Trenton directly across from the New Jersey State House, the institute has posted a series of white papers, research essays and op-ed articles on its Web site at www.hallnj.org in an effort to generate debate and discussion and develop solutions to the problems confronting the state and its residents. The institute, which plans to publish an academic journal later this year, was established last year by Hall, a business executive and philanthropist who lives in Middletown.