file photoWashington University may play host to one of the 2004 presidential debates. The university is one of 14 institutions that have submitted proposals to the Commission on Presidential Debates to be considered as a potential location for one of the debates.
This is the fourth consecutive time that WU has appeared on the list of possible sites. Presidential debates were previously held on campus in 1992 and 2000. Though the school was chosen as a site in 1996, due to President Clinton’s scheduling conflicts, WU had to be deselected and could not host a debate.
In a statement released on Thursday, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said he believes that hosing the debates is not only good for the school, but for the community as well.
“I am delighted that St. Louis is again being considered for one of the debates planned for the fall of 2004,” said Wrighton. “We are very excited about the prospect of hosting one of the world’s most widely covered political events. If St. Louis is again selected as a host site, it will be a credit to everyone in the region, all of whom have worked together to make previous debates so successful.”
Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs Fred Volkmann explained that the university’s prior experience may be helpful in the selection process.
“We’ve been praised at great length by the commission, news media and others for having done this in the past,” said Volkmann. “We’ve received fine comments due to the high quality with which we have been able to accommodate so many reporters and such activity with ease.”
Volkmann said that though he is unsure of how the commission will work this time, in the past it has often selected about six sites for the three presidential debates and the one vice-presidential debate. Two of the sites that are chosen are considered alternates in the event that the four chosen locations cannot host a debate.
Andrew Sobel, a professor of political science at WU, said that WU’s location could be an advantage in being chosen.
“We’re in the center of the country and in a good time zone,” said Sobel. “I think that we represent middle America well. We’ve also been good at getting sponsoring from local companies like Budweiser, because we have to pay for this thing.”
Sobel explained that the school has to remain apolitical in order to attract the attention of the commission.
“We’re non-profit and we are not allowed to have political positions in these situations,” sad Sobel. “The commission, as well as the candidates, are very careful to nix a site if it has some kind political bias.”
Volkmann noted that the commission must also be cognizant of how representative the sites that it selects are. That is, it wants to ensure that the debates take place in locations that contain a broad sample of the American public.
John Schael, director of WU athletics, said that when the debates have occurred in the past, the campus has had to mobilize in order to prepare. In the event that the debate comes to campus, Schael must give up the Athletic Complex’s Field House for a week-and-a-half, and he will help in the use of the facilities in any way that he can.
“It is quite a challenge organizationally, but everyone has to make sacrifices,” said Schael. “We’ve always risen to the occasion, and we’re on the team to attract the debate.”
According to Schael, much of the excitement that surrounds a presidential debate on campus comes from the positive recognition that the school receives.
“We have already done two debates, but it is still exciting that they would consider WU,” said Schael. “This type of event is beneficial to the whole WU community.”
Volkmann emphasized that the notoriety a debate brings is also very important for the community.
“This is a great source of pride for the campus and it gives the students something with which to become closely involved,” said Volkmann. “But that’s really secondary in the sense that this brings recognition to the community for being involved with one of the more important events in American politics.”
WU students share the excitement that the staff and faculty have expressed.
“It would foster a lot of political activism on campus,” said sophomore Jason Stringer. “I heard that last time a lot of students were not able to go, but if I had the opportunity to, I would go.”
Sophomore Elim Horng agreed.
“It would be exciting to see the candidates debate live, not that you couldn’t do that over TV,” said Horng.
The list of the other 13 institutions that have submitted proposals includes Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami and Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
The decisions of the commission are expected to be announced in November 2003.