2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Howard Dean Statement On Today's CNN/WMUR/NH Union Leader Democratic Presidential Debate

Democratic Candidates Offered Strong Leadership for America's Future at NH Debate

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement following today's CNN/WMUR/NH Union Leader Democratic Presidential Debate:

“Tonight our Democratic field of candidates again did what their Republican counterparts have yet to do. They articulated a real vision of strong leadership for America's future.

"On the issue of Iraq our candidates agreed it's past time to end the war and refocus on fighting terrorism and strengthening our national security, a stark contrast to the Republican field's blind support for continuing the President's failed strategy. On a range of other issues, from making health care affordable for every American to addressing immigration reform in a practical way, Democrats offered real solutions. Our candidates showed they're ready to address the challenges confronting the American people, made it clear that the Democratic Party's values are America's values, and showed a Democratic field that looks like the America they aspire to lead.

"The choice for 2008 is clear: Democrats who offer real leadership for a strong America, or Republicans facing an identity crisis who on Wednesday will no doubt reiterate that they offer nothing more than the same divisiveness and failed policies of the Bush Administration.”

NPR And Iowa Public Radio To Make Recordings Fully Accessible After Original Broadcast And Webcasts

NPR AND IOWA PUBLIC RADIO TO PERMIT FULL PUBLIC ACCESS OF JANUARY 9-10 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, FOLLOWING ORIGINAL BROADCASTS AND WEBCASTS

May 18, 2007; Washington, D.C. – NPR and Iowa Public Radio, which previously announced they will partner to produce two live national presidential debates in Des Moines for public radio on January 9-10, 2008, will make the recordings of these debates fully accessible to all media outlets and individuals, without license restrictions, following each of the original broadcasts/webcasts.

The public radio Democratic and Republican debates will take place in advance of the 2008 Iowa Caucus, which is January 14. They will be exclusive to NPR Member stations for the initial radio-only broadcast and available permanently through NPR.org, iowapublicradio.org and NPR Member stations’ websites.

“Debates are a core part of public radio’s public service mission, and our goal is always to give the broadest audience the widest opportunity to use the candidates’ ideas and words. Our decision to place these recordings in the public domain, without restriction, is a natural extension of our mission,” said Ken Stern, Chief Executive Officer, NPR.

According to Joan Kjaer, Deputy Director, Iowa Public Radio, “Iowa is in a privileged position with its long history of first-in-the-nation caucuses. Iowa Public Radio believes that it’s our responsibility to provide not only Iowans but the nation free and open access to the words and policy statements of those running for this most important office.”

These productions mark the second time NPR news is collaborating with the Iowa public radio station community to host presidential debates.

DNC Announces Dates, Media Sponsors And Locations For Sanctioned Debates

DNC ANNOUNCES DATES, MEDIA SPONSORS AND LOCATIONS FOR SANCTIONED DEBATES

Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee in partnership with six state parties today announced the dates, media sponsors and cities for the six DNC sanctioned debates. Additional details regarding specifics for the individual debates including additional media partners and logistics will be announced at a later time. The DNC sanctioned debate schedule will be:

DNC SANCTIONED DEBATES:

July 23, 2007: YouTube/Google and CNN* in Charleston, SC

August 19, 2007: ABC in Des Moines, IA

September 26, 2007: NBC News/MSNBC** in Hanover, NH

October 30, 2007: NBC News/MSNBC** in Philadelphia, PA

November 15, 2007: CNN* in Las Vegas, NV

December 10, 2007: CBS in Los Angeles, CA

"Our strong field of Democratic candidates have been working hard, talking about the issues the American people care about and laying out a positive vision for America’s future," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "We are grateful to the media sponsors and our state parties for their role in providing important, diverse settings for the American people to hear directly from our candidates."

*Debate will be simulcast on CNN en Espanol.
**Telemundo will re-broadcast both debates.

CNN To Make Presidential Debate Footage Available Without Restrictions

CNN to Make Presidential Debate Footage Available without Restrictions

As previously announced, CNN will team up with Hearst-Argyle's WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader to host two presidential debates to be held in America's first primary state. The debate featuring Democratic candidates will be held on Sunday, June 3, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Republican debate will be held on Tuesday, June 5, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Due to the historical nature of presidential debates and the significance of these forums to the American public, CNN believes strongly that the debates should be accessible to the public. The candidates need to be held accountable for what they say throughout the election process.

The presidential debates are an integral part of our system of government, in which the American people have the opportunity to make informed choices about who will serve them. Therefore, CNN debate coverage will be made available without restrictions at the conclusion of each live debate.

We believe this is good for the country and good for the electoral process. This decision will apply to all of CNN's presidential debates, beginning with the upcoming New Hampshire debates in June.

CNN Political Ticker

Ten Candidates To Participate In Historic First-in-the-South Presidential Candidates Debate

Ten candidates to participate in historic First-in-the-South Presidential Candidates Debate

Excitement surrounding presidential politics in South Carolina continues to grow as South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today announced that invitations will be extended to ten Republican presidential candidates to participate in the 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate.

Dawson said, “We would like to extend a warm South Carolina welcome to ten White House hopefuls who are seeking the Republican nomination to be the next President of the United States.”

“The participants in our debate ensure South Carolina voters and Republicans visiting Columbia from across the country get a chance to hear candidates for President candidly discuss important issues facing our future. We are extremely proud to host the first truly national presidential candidates debate,” Dawson added.

The following candidates will be receiving formal invitations from the South Carolina Republican Party to the 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate (in alphabetical order):

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback – Kansas
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani – New York City
Former Governor Jim Gilmore – Virginia
Former Governor Mike Huckabee – Arkansas
U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter – California
U.S. Senator John McCain – Arizona
U.S. Congressman Ron Paul – Texas
Former Governor Mitt Romney – Massachusetts
U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo – Colorado
Former Governor Tommy Thompson – Wisconsin

The 2007 First-In-The-South Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate will be televised live by FOX News Channel at 9:00 PM from the University of South Carolina’s Koger Center for the Arts on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. FOX News Channel Washington Managing Editor Brit Hume will moderate the debate and FOX News Sunday Anchor Chris Wallace and White House Correspondent Wendell Goler will ask questions of the candidates.

Candidates Confirmed For MSNBC Debates

Candidates confirmed for MSNBC debates
NBC's Brian Williams and MSNBC's Chris Matthews will moderate debates

As the network announced in January, MSNBC will telecast the first debates of the 2008 presidential campaign season.  “NBC Nightly News” Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams will moderate the South Carolina Democratic Party’s debate on April 26th.  MSNBC Election Anchor Chris Matthews will moderate the Reagan Library’s GOP debate on May 3rd, in partnership with politico.com.

The South Carolina Democratic Party has announced that Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson are all confirmed to participate in the debate on April 26th.  The debate will take place at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and will air live on MSNBC from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (ET) and stream live on MSNBC.com.  South Carolina NBC affiliates, WIS-TV in Columbia, WYFF-TV in Greenville and WCBD-TV in Charleston, will join MSNBC in airing the debate.

The Ronald Reagan Library announced that Sam Brownback, Jim Gilmore, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo and Tommy Thompson are all confirmed to attend the Library’s debate on May 3rd.  The debate will take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, and will air live on MSNBC from 8:00 to 9:30 pm (ET) and stream live on MSNBC.com and politico.com and will include audience questions gathered on politico.com.

Said Williams,  "For South Carolina voters, there is no substitute for seeing and hearing the candidates in the State, on the issues. South Carolina will play a huge role in determining the next President of the United States. We look upon this debate as the start of that very serious conversation. I'm so looking forward to being in South Carolina -- and sampling the familiar hospitality -- as we put to the candidates the questions South Carolina voters want answered. This is participatory Democracy in action, we want people to watch, we want the voters to send in their questions so we can read them on the air. The stakes are high and South Carolina is about to play a pivotal role in the future direction of the country as a whole. "

This presidential candidates debate represents the third for Williams.  In September 2003, he moderated a CNBC/Wall Street Journal Democratic candidates debate and in early 2000, a Republican candidates debate in South Carolina.

"Nightly News with Brian Williams" will also originate live in HD from Orangeburg, South Carolina on April 26.

In addition to moderating the Reagan Library debate, Chris Matthews will bring his program, “Hardball,” to the site of both debates for complete analysis of the “First in the Nation” debates.  Last year, Matthews moderated the Florida gubernatorial and New Orleans mayoral debates. “Debates put presidential candidates on the same stage. That’s the way voters like to see them, squaring off, testing their wits, competing with ideas. These joint appearances are the main events of every presidential election. It’s an honor to moderating the first Republican Debate,” said Matthews.  “This is the first chance for voters to see these candidates relate to each other and it’s a perfect time in the campaign to see how they compare.  My goal is to give each candidate a maximum opportunity to present his positions.”

MSNBC, which has extensively featured political coverage in its regularly scheduled programming and in its acclaimed series of “politics days,” will preview both debates with a full day of coverage on April 26th and May 3rd.  The network will also air comprehensive analysis of the debate upon its conclusion.   Complete details will be released at a later date.  Comprehensive coverage of these debates will be available at MSNBC’s political web site, politics.msnbc.com, powered by National Journal.

All Candidates Confirmed For South Carolina First-In-The-Nation Presidential Debate

ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO - ALL CANDIDATES CONFIRMED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY 2008 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

First-In-The-Nation Presidential Debate to air on NBC News April 26 Live From SC State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina

Orangeburg, SC – With less than two weeks before South Carolina makes history with the first presidential debate for either party in the 2008 cycle, officials from the South Carolina Democratic Party and South Carolina State University announced today that all systems are ready and on track for a both a successful and a historic Path to the Presidency Debate on SC State’s campus Thursday, April 26, 2007.

"I am pleased to see the tremendous work South Carolina State and the South Carolina Democratic Party have put into to making the first debate of the '08 presidential campaign a huge success," said Congressman James Clyburn. "Due to their amazing efforts and the community involvement, I believe this debate is going to set a high standard for future debates to meet."

All eight Democratic presidential candidates have confirmed to attend the debate, which will be Thursday, April 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Theater, located on the campus of SC State. The debate will be live on MSNBC News, MSNBC.com, and South Carolina’s NBC affiliates in addition to South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV). The debate kicks off the South Carolina Democratic Party’s historic Path to the Presidency weekend, which also includes the State Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Congressman Clyburn’s World-Famous Fish Fry, and the State Democratic Party Convention on Saturday, April 28.

Under the leadership of State Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin and SC State President Andrew Hugine, a team of key University staff and State Party activists and officials has been working for more than two months with officials from NBC News to prepare for the debate.

“ I am proud to report today that all systems are go for our historic debate, “ said State Party Chair Joe Erwin. “When we first announced our intentions to come to SC State, I was very excited to be a part of the history and tradition of this great university, the alma mater of my good friend Congressman Clyburn. Now that our team has worked with the SC State family, we truly understand where their great reputation comes from. We could not have asked for better hosts than President Hugine and his team of top-notch professionals at State. These folks just get it done – no matter what the request. If they don’t have the resources, they find someone to sponsor it or someone to lend us some help, if it wasn’t something in their current schedule, they change it.”

With the combined efforts of the South Carolina Democratic Party and SC State Debate team, work is well underway to transform the campus into a 21st century debate headquarters. Workspace for NBC News, the campaigns, and the media is being converted and a debate office is open. In addition, the SC State Foundation and the Democratic Party have secured sponsors to help bring critical technology and infrastructure to the campus and provide more opportunities for students and the community to watch the debate.

One of those important sponsors was announced this morning at a press briefing on SC State’s campus. The County of Orangeburg and the Economic Development Authority will host a special community viewing celebration for more than 3,000 people in the S-H-M gymnasium the night of the debate from 6:00 – 10:00 PM. The viewing party/after party will feature food and entertainment, as well as the debate live on a big screen, and will be open to students and community members. Candidates will stop by after the debate and visit. Tickets are free but will be required for admittance and details about ticket distribution will be available next week.

“The eyes of the world will be on our campus at the end of April and SC State will make the South Carolina proud,” said SC State President Dr. Andrew Hugine. “We know that putting on a successful debate in April isn’t just a one-day phenomenon. The experience of putting on this debate will go a long way to opening the doors of opportunity for the campus, the community, and the State of South Carolina. We are committed to transforming the energy and excitement of this one event into a lasting legacy and we thank the people of Orangeburg, the leaders of this county, and the city for their continuing support and encouragement.”

Final GOP Presidential Debate Before "Super-Tuesday" To Be Held At Reagan Library

FINAL GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BEFORE “SUPER-TUESDAY” TO BE HELD AT REAGAN LIBRARY

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation will host the final GOP presidential debate before the 2008 “Super-Tuesday” primary in California and several other key states. Mrs. Ronald Reagan will extend invitations to the front-runner GOP Presidential candidates to return to the Reagan Library for this final debate, which will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. The event will give voters one last opportunity to hear the GOP front-runner candidates discuss their positions in a debate format before casting their votes in the February 5, 2008 primary. This will serve as a follow-up to the first debate of the full field of GOP Presidential candidates that will be held at the Reagan Library on May 3, 2007.

“Ronnie always believed that debates are a great way for voters to hear candidates discuss the issues,” said former first lady Nancy Reagan. “He would be so pleased that his Presidential Library is serving such an important role in the election process.”

“What better way to determine who will carry on in the tradition of Ronald Reagan than two strategically timed debates held at the Reagan Presidential Library,” said Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., chairman of the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. “The first debate in May will provide a chance to introduce the full field of Republican Presidential candidates to the American voter. The final debate will allow the top contenders to make their case for the Republican nomination as primary voters in California and several other states head for the polls.”

Details of this debate will be announced at a later date.

Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library houses over 55 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers, an extraordinary collection of photographs and film, and over 100,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Home to Air Force One 27000, it now also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President.

MSNBC to telecast presidential debate at Iowa State

MSNBC to telecast presidential debate at Iowa State

AMES, Iowa/SECAUCUS, N.J. - MSNBC will telecast a Republican presidential candidates debate live from Iowa State University Nov. 6, 2007, university and network officials announced today. The debate will also be streamed live on MSNBC.com.

"We're pleased to partner with Iowa State University to provide this important forum for the candidates prior to the first-in-the-nation Iowa presidential nominating caucuses," said Dan Abrams, general manager of MSNBC.

The evening debate will be held at Stephens Auditorium, a 2,700-seat performing arts theater that has hosted a number of nationally broadcast political and news programs. Details of the debate, including start time and the moderator, have not been finalized.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our students and the people of Iowa to be involved in the presidential race, and we're glad the nation will be watching on MSNBC," said Gregory Geoffroy, president of Iowa State.

In September 2006, Geoffroy announced that Iowa State would hold Democratic and Republican debates prior to the Iowa caucuses. Iowa State continues to plan a debate for Democratic candidates, but other announced debates may affect those plans.

NPR News And Iowa Public Radio To Produce Live National Presidential Candidate Debates

NPR News and Iowa Public Radio to Produce Live National Presidential Candidate Debates, January 9-10; Debates to be Exclusive to Radio and Internet

Washington, D.C. and Des Moines, IA; February 15, 2007 – NPR News and Iowa Public Radio are partnering to produce two live national presidential debates in advance of the 2008 Iowa Caucus.

The Democratic and Republican debates will feature the leading contenders in each race and take place on January 9 and 10 in Des Moines; the Caucus is January 14. The national debates will be exclusive to NPR Member stations for radio-only broadcast, and available through NPR.org and the stations’ websites.

These events mark the second time NPR News is collaborating with the Iowa public radio station community to host presidential debates. In 2004, NPR, the WOI Radio Group and other individual NPR Member stations in the state joined to produce a two-hour Democratic radio debate with the six leading candidates. Since that broadcast, the stations at Iowa’s three major universities merged to form Iowa Public Radio: they are WSUI, University of Iowa in Iowa City; WOI-AM/FM, Iowa State University, and KUNI, University of Northern Iowa.

“The format and qualities of public radio are well-suited to a presidential candidates’ debate, offering listeners substantive, thoughtful and intimate conversation,” said Ken Stern, Chief Executive Officer, NPR. “Since the 2004 elections, the public has increasingly turned in record numbers to NPR News and NPR Member stations for objective, information-rich journalism. These upcoming debates, in partnership with our colleagues in Iowa, are part of a comprehensive, cross-platform, multi-year commitment to election coverage we have made to serve that demand.”

Noted Cindy Browne, Executive Director, Iowa Public Radio, "Iowans are proud of their first-in-the-nation caucuses because they represent a kind of citizen dialogue about the issues that's difficult to find elsewhere. The civil approach of NPR News reflects the nature of the Iowa caucuses and we are delighted to be involved with them in these important events.”

Iowa Public Radio was formed in 2005 to align the stations of the WOI Radio Group in Ames, KUNI/KHKE in Cedar Falls-Waterloo and KSUI/WSUI in Iowa City in greater service to the people of Iowa. The stations offer local and national news and three statewide talk programs as well as full-time music formats to the community they serve, reaching more than 220,000 people.

NPR News’ commitment to election coverage has unified national and local journalism and crosses all media platforms. On mid-term election night November 7, NPR News offered nine consecutive hours of live coverage, with two anchor teams and 30 reporters on location around the country. NPR.org provided a roadmap to all major races and issues, with interactive links to local Member stations’ coverage. Following the election, NPR News produced a weeklong series on bipartisanship and the art of compromise, with 27 segments airing across seven programs in the NPR schedule. NPR News also offered a newsmaking exclusive interview with President Bush on January 29. NPR programs reach 26 million listeners weekly.