Saint Anselm to host televised GOP/Dem debates

Sign Up For Our FREE Daily eNews!

image
*
Democratic Debate at Saint Anselm on December 19
* Republican Debate at Saint Anselm on February 6

Editor’s note: There are no general admission tickets available at this time.


NHIOP Logo V3RMANCHESTER, NH — The ABC Television Network has selected Saint Anselm College as the site of the only head-to-head Presidential Primary debates in New Hampshire for the Democratic and Republican Parties, prior to the state’s first-in-the nation Primary Election.

For the Democratic Primary Debate on Saturday, December 19, 2015, ABC will partner with Saint Anselm College, ABC affiliate TV station WMUR, and the New Hampshire Union Leader.  The Democratic debate will take place at 8:00 p.m. in the Carr Center on the Saint Anselm campus.

For the Republican Primary Debate on Saturday, February 6, 2016, ABC will partner with Saint Anselm College, ABC affiliate TV station WMUR, the New Hampshire Union Leader and Independent Journal.  The Republican Primary Debate is scheduled for 8:00 p.m., also in the Carr Center at Saint Anselm.

Every four years, Saint Anselm College becomes “America’s Classroom” in the election season preceding New Hampshire’s Primary.  Home to the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP), a political gathering place of all major contenders for the White House, Saint Anselm has a rich history of hosting debates and presidential primary events.  ABC News chose the college for a Republican primary debate in January 2012; CNN previously held a debate at Saint Anselm in June 2011.  CNN and ABC conducted four debates for the 2008 election cycle.

The New Hampshire Presidential Primary will be held on February 9, 2016, marking the 100th anniversary of the Granite State conducting the first primary in the United States for the Presidential election cycle.

“We’re proud of our long record of participation in the presidential selection process, especially this year, the 100th anniversary of the New Hampshire primary,” said Steven R. DiSalvo, Ph.D., president of Saint Anselm College.  “The opportunity to take part in the debates and to host the candidates and the national news media offers our students a unique educational experience and a memory they will carry throughout their lives.  There is no better way to learn about the process than to be part of it.”

In 1984, the college hosted its first Presidential Primary debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters.  Over the past seven decades, Saint Anselm College has experienced hundreds of visits, talks, speeches and other election-related events including national political figures.  In the past 22 months, 15 candidates for the country’s highest office appeared at Politics & Eggs, a NH event series and tradition conducted by the New England Council and the NHIOP.

Moderated by ABC “World News Tonight” Anchor David Muir, ABC Chief Global Correspondent Martha Raddatz and WMUR-TV Political Director Josh McElveen, the Democratic and Republican Primary Debates will air nationally on the ABC Television Network; in Northern New England on ABC affiliate WMUR-TV (Channel 9).

ABC Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos will anchor his signature program “This Week” from New Hampshire the morning after each debate.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!