[StBernard] Several top '08 candidates endorse New Orleans bid to host a presidential debate

[Westley Annis]

Several top '08 candidates endorse New Orleans bid to host a presidential
debate
This post was written by Jason Easley on 30 March, 2007 (09:25) | All News,
US Politics, Government News, US Government News, Congressional News, US
News, 2008 Election Coverage

Now that Congress is on spring break, and the pace of daily events is going
to slow to a crawl, I have a chance to write about some stories that have
not gotten much attention. In a letter dated March 22, 2007 U.S. Senator
Mary Landreiu proposed to the Commission on Presidential Debates, that New
Orleans should be selected as the city to host the first presidential debate
of the 2008 general election campaign. Landrieu's proposal was endorsed by
presidential candidates Sen. Joe Biden, Jr., (D-DE)., Sen. Chris Dodd
(D-CT), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sen. Hillary
Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).

"There is no doubt that the next President of the United States will bear a
significant responsibility to address the ongoing and momentous challenges
of this recovery [from hurricanes Katrina and Rita]. This duty is
highlighted by the region's vital role in our nation's economy and national
security and the statement our efforts make about how America protects and
cares for its own people in times of crisis. As such, we strongly and
wholeheartedly endorse the proposal to host one of the 2008 Presidential
Debates in the City of New Orleans. This would, in fact, be the Commission's
first Presidential Debate held in a Gulf Coast community," the senators
wrote.

The senators went on give their reasons why they think New Orleans would be
a good choice. "The applicants have indicated that New Orleans fulfills all
of the requirements for hosting a debate in the city. The Ernest N. Morial
Convention Center would meet or exceed the Commission's facility
requirements, and the city's transportation and hospitality services and
facilities are more than capable of supporting the event. New Orleans hotels
have returned to more than 90 percent of their pre-Katrina capacity and the
city recently hosted a major convention of more than 30,000 attendees."
Perhaps the most important reason of all they saved for last, "by hosting
the debate there, the Commission can itself contribute to the recovery and
renewal of this vibrant region."

The recovery of the Gulf Coast region has become a forgotten story in the
media. Having the city such a large national event as presidential debate,
will force the media to return to New Orleans and focus attention on how the
recovery of the entire region is progressing. I have not even mentioned the
economic impact that hosting a presidential debate would have on the city.
Also, New Orleans would provide a different type of backdrop and venue. This
alone might breathe some life back into the stale formats of the debates.
Most importantly, this is a chance to do something for a region that is
still struggling to get back in its feet. It doesn't require political
debate or the approval of elected leaders. It will happen if a few people
decide to do the right thing, and trust me; this is the right thing to do.

The PDF format full text of the letter is available here.
<http://landrieu.senate.gov/news/CPD.pdf>