2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Reagan Library To Host GOP Debate

REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION TO HOST GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES’ DEBATE

Mrs. Ronald Reagan will invite the major GOP Presidential candidates to the Reagan Library for a presidential debate on May 3, 2007. The Reagan Library Foundation has confirmed MSNBC cable as the television partner and THE POLITICO as the internet partner for this historic event.

THE POLITICO (www.politico.com) will stream the debate live and provide an exclusive and unprecedented opportunity for viewers to question the candidates via the internet.

The debate will air nationally on MSNBC cable, with full coverage on www.MSNBC.com.

“Ronnie always hoped the Library would be a place where policy makers could debate the future," said former first lady Nancy Reagan. "This presidential debate provides the opportunity to fulfill his wishes."

This event will be the first time a Presidential Debate has been held at a Presidential Library, and a unique opportunity for web cast viewers across the country to ask questions of the candidates.

At this time, ticket information on how to be at the debate is not available. When it is announced, it will be posted on this website.

Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (www.reaganlibrary.com) 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.

Presidential Forum Sponsored by AFSCME

Working Families to Meet With Democratic Presidential Candidates in Carson City on Wednesday, February 21

Presidential Forum Sponsored by AFSCME, Moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos

A Democratic Presidential Forum focusing on issues that affect working families will take place in Carson City, Nevada, on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. The event is sponsored by AFSCME and will be moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.

More than 500 AFSCME members and retirees will attend this first-of-its-kind event. Confirmed candidates include Senator Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chris Dodd, former Senator John Edwards, former Senator Mike Gravel, Representative Dennis Kucinich, Governor Bill Richardson and former Governor Tom Vilsack.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “This is more great news for Nevada. I am so glad that ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos has agreed to moderate what will be the first presidential forum in the nation. This forum will be a great opportunity for candidates to discuss Nevada issues and lay the groundwork for winning the West, which will be key to Democratic victory in 2008.”

WHO: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

WHAT: First Democratic Presidential Forum

Moderated by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos

WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:00 – 2:00 p.m
.
WHERE: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William Street, Carson City, Nevada

CNN And Nevada Democrats To Host November Debate

CNN and Nevada Democrats to host November debate

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Exactly one year before voters head to the polls to choose the next president, CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party will host a Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, the network and the state party announced Wednesday.

CNN will serve as the exclusive national broadcaster for the November 4 debate that will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"I am happy that CNN recognizes the importance of Nevada as it prepares to play a key role in selecting the 2008 Democratic nominee," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said in a joint statement released by CNN and the Nevada Democratic Party. "As I have said before, a candidate who can win in Nevada can capture the West and win the White House. As our partner in the November debate, CNN will highlight the issues that are important to the Western voters who hold the key to victory in 2008. I look forward to welcoming all the presidential candidates to Las Vegas for this pivotal debate."

Nevada will wield considerable influence in helping to select the next Democratic nominee for president. The Democratic National Committee approved a primary/caucus schedule that has the Nevada caucuses being held between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

"The Nevada Democratic Presidential Debate represents a significant addition to our extensive coverage plans for the upcoming presidential campaign," said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. "This debate puts CNN at the forefront of coverage in this important battleground state, whose citizens will play a critical, early role in the selection of the Democratic nominee."

This is the third presidential debate CNN has announced it will host in the 2008 race for the White House. CNN has teamed up with WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader to host "First in the Nation: Presidential Primary Debates" on April 4 and 5. Republicans will take the stage the first night, while Democrats will debate on the second night at Saint Anselm College in Manchester.

The Nevada debate is not only expected to focus on such pressing national issues as Iraq and the war on terror, but also issues of importance to the western part of the country such as immigration, explosive population growth and water and public land issues. Democrats also believe the West has become a political battleground and the key to the party's efforts to win back the White House in 2008.

"Democrats believe that the future of our party lies in the West," said Tom Collins, chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party. "A Democrat who is well versed in Western issues, and can appeal to Nevada's diverse population and strong labor constituency, will capture the states we need to win to take back the White House.

"Nevada Democrats are glad to work with CNN to help highlight the issues important to our region and our nation," Collins added.

CNN Political Ticker

ABC News Will Produce Six Live Forums For Presidential Candidates

ABC News Announces Debates

ABC News will produce six live forums for presidential candidates, two in August 2007, two in October 2007, and two in January 2008.

The first two forums, co-sponsored by ABC NEWS and ABC5/WOI-TV, will be in Iowa, moderated by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos.  The forums will air nationwide as special editions of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The Republican forum will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2007. The Democratic forum will be co-sponsored by the Democratic Party of Iowa, and will be held on Sunday, August 19, 2007. David Yepsen, a political columnist for the Des Moines Register, will also question the candidates in these debates.  Both forums will take place in Des Moines, Iowa.

The remaining four forums will be held in New Hampshire, the first state in the country to hold a primary. The hosts will be ABC News, WMUR-TV, the Hearst-Argyle Television-owned ABC affiliate in Manchester, NH, and the New Hampshire Union Leader, in October 2007 and in January 2008.

George Stephanopoulos will moderate the two October town hall style debates. They will air nationwide in special editions of This Week with George Stephanopoulos.  The January debates will be held the week before the New Hampshire Primary.  Detailed information on the dates, locations and formats of the January debates will be forthcoming.

Raymond Cole, President/COO of Citadel Communications and Chairman of the ABC Affiliates Board of Governors, said “We are pleased that ABC News recognizes the unique role that Iowans play in the electoral process. Our stations in Des Moines and Sioux City, along with the other ABC stations serving the state are proud to be partners in these special broadcasts from Iowa.”

WMUR General Manager Jeff Bartlett said, “We are very pleased to be offering the voters of New Hampshire these opportunities to see the field of candidates running for president and listen to their ideas and plans for the country. New Hampshire has an important role to play in American politics with its first-in-the-nation primary and WMUR is committed to providing voters with as much information as we can in debates, news coverage, special programming and on our website, WMUR.com, to help them make their decision.”

The New Hampshire Union Leader is the largest and only statewide newspaper in New Hampshire. It has been a dominant voice in the Granite State since its founding in 1863. Its fast-growing online news site, UnionLeader.com, specializes in fast updates of breaking news supplied by more than 40 local reporters and correspondents. The daily newspaper and the web site are part of the Union Leader Corporation, an independently owned company. Joseph W. McQuaid is its president and publisher.

WMUR is the leading source of television news in New Hampshire.   WMUR.com is the most viewed New Hampshire website for local news. WMUR is owned by Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.  Hearst-Argyle owns 25 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations,   in   geographically diverse U.S. markets.  The Company's television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by the Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group.

ABC News Political Radar

South Carolina Democratic Party And NBC News Team Up For First 2008 Debate

SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO TEAM UP WITH NBC NEWS AND SC STATE UNIVERSITY FOR FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

January 8th, 2007

Orangeburg, SC – South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin and Congressman Jim Clyburn traveled to South Carolina State University today to announce that South Carolina will host the first candidates’ debate of the 2008 Presidential cycle on Thursday April 26th 2007 at 7:00Pm. The Democratic Presidential candidates debate will be produced by NBC News and hosted by SC State. All the major Democratic candidates for president are invited to attend.

MSNBC will carry exclusive live coverage of the South Carolina Democratic Party's presidential primary debate on April 26, 2007 live on MSNBC from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (ET) and streamed 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. MSNBC's signature political program, "Hardball with Chris Matthews," will air live from South Carolina State University at 5:00 pm (ET) with key interviews and analysis in anticipation of the debate. The network will also air comprehensive analysis of the debate upon its conclusion.

“What better way to celebrate South Carolina and our second-in-the-nation first-in-the South Presidential Primary than with the first Presidential debate at the alma mater of our own Jim Clyburn, Majority Whip of the US House of Representatives,” said South Carolina State Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin. “Having worked closely with the top-notch NBC News team in 2004 for Presidential primary and debate, we know just what kinds of results they can produce when it comes for viewer ship, voter education and voter participation. Democratic candidates can rest assured that their campaign messages will be heard by millions of South Carolina voters and NBC viewers across the country.

“The NBC News/South Carolina Democratic Party Debate at SC State not only presents an incredible opportunity for the talented field of Democratic candidates running for President to make their case to the voters of South Carolina, but it presents an amazing opportunity for every citizen of this state to have South Carolina issues, values and voices front and center in the national spotlight,” said House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.

“I fully expect that the leading Democrats who are considering a run for the Presidency, will not miss this opportunity to travel to Orangeburg and meet the terrific students, faculty and staff of SC State for this historic occasion,” Clyburn continued. “ I am so touched by Chairman Erwin’s efforts to bring this debate to my Alma Mater and his commitment along with the talented team at NBC News to making it heard across the state and across the nation.”

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to be the home of the first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign," said NBC News President Steve Capus. "NBC News is uniquely positioned to bring an event like this to the nation with the number one morning and evening newscasts, the number one Sunday public affairs program, MSNBC's unparalleled commitment to extensive political coverage on cable and the leading news and information web site, msnbc.com."