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Democratic debate details announced
Estimated 2,000 people to attend CNN-hosted, invitiation-only Democratic event
By Katie Petroski
The UT president's office announced Wednesday that the Democratic presidential debate between senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will be hosted at the Recreational Sports Center and will not be open to the public.
People will be able to attend on an invitation-only basis, but the size of the venue will limit the audience to an estimated 2,000 people, said UT spokesman Don Hale. "We are not in control of who gets to come, but there will be seats for students," said President William Powers. "We would not be willing to host the debate here otherwise." Sam Feist, CNN political director, flew in from New York on Wednesday morning to begin the typically six-month-long planning process for the debate. It will be hosted only 10 days after it was announced Monday, which may be the shortest turnaround in CNN history. The news network approached the University Democrats last week, asking them to host the only announced Texas debate on campus. The student group does not endorse presidential candidates, and its members will help run the debate on a volunteer basis, said University Democrats President Laura Hernandez. CNN is organizing the debate with Univision and the Texas Democratic Party. Decisions regarding venue, size and ticket distribution are being made by all involved parties, said Hector Nieto, spokesman for the Texas Democratic Party. About half the seats will go to the Texas Democratic Party, and the remaining seats will be distributed amongst the campaigns, Univision, CNN and the University. Allan Henslee, senior engineering student, said he does not understand the debate's size limitations. "The best reason for candidates to come to campus is to appeal to students, and this doesn't do that," Henslee said. "It would make sense that the more people they can reach personally, the better it would be for the candidate." Feist said CNN wanted to bring the debate to the state capitol, and UT's Rec Center could accomodate the media and handle the security that is involved in the production of an event like this. The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
John
posted 2/15/08 @ 12:47 AM CST
In 2002, Obama spoke out against the Iraq resolution, but he couldn't vote against it because he was not a U. S. Senator then. However, he has been using Hillary's vote against her by saying, "I have always been against the war and Hillary voted for it. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 2/21/08 @ 8:26 PM CST
I enjoy watching the debate (know thy enemy), but why is Mexico represented? Our language is English because this is America, not Mexico, and it never will be Mexico. (Continued…)
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