U. Miami Passed Over For '08 Debate
This story was written by Karyn Meshbane, The Miami Hurricane
The University of Miami applied to host the 2008 presidential debate, competing against 19 other universities, but did not make the final cut.
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday that the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss.; Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. and Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. will host the debates leading up to the Nov. 4 presidential election.
Washington University in St. Louis, which hosted a presidential debate in 2000 and 2004, will host the vice presidential debate.
UM hosted the first presidential debate during the 2004 campaign, which featured President George W. Bush and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
"Hosting the 2004 debate was a tremendous opportunity for students, for faculty and staff at UM," said Rudy Fernandez, vice president for government affairs. "President [Donna E.] Shalala is still very excited that we are hosting the two Univision/University of Miami forums because she will be able to keep the promise that every presidential candidate still visits the university during the election cycle."
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