Granted, there's some self-interest involved - it is politics - but a debate on the merits of health-care reform from two opposing viewpoints is very much in the public interest right now.

So hats off to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) for the idea and former Lehigh Valley Congressman Pat Toomey, a Republican, for accepting.

This debate started as dueling press releases on health care, particularly the public option. Sestak suggested a face-to-face meeting that would let voters ask questions. Toomey not only agreed, but offered a similar forum to Specter, whose campaign refused comment.

Don't expect the stopwatch rigidity of a presidential debate. There is a moderator from host Muhlenberg College who will keep things moving. But the audience is in charge of grilling the candidates, who are expected to have time to answer questions.

It's an excellent chance to shed light on an overheated issue. If done right, it could be a model not just for other town halls, but for the ongoing health-care debate in Washington, too.

The event is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. There are no more tickets available, but it will be broadcast live on WFMZ-TV, and both campaigns expect a live stream on their Web sites, www.toomeyforsenate.com and www.joesestak.com.