Republican presidential candidates debated social issues, including health care, housing, Hurricane Katrina relief, the economy, and the environment. The debate was moderated by Tavis Smiley. The candidates were questioned by a panel of journalists including NPR's Ray Suarez and Juan Willliams and Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Cynthia Tucker. Several candidates did not appear on the stage and were represented by empty podia. The debate originally aired live on PBS and PBS.org.