West Virginia makes bold bid to host 2016 debate

West Virginia has only rarely played a significant role in Presidential elections in the modern era.

In the 1960 Democratic Primary, John Kennedy famously convinced the nation that a Catholic could win in a protestant state, propelling him to the nomination and the Presidency. George W. Bush campaigned hard in West Virginia in the 2000 election, becoming the first non-incumbent Republican to carry the state in 70 years.

Otherwise, West Virginia and its five electoral votes are usually fly-over country.  Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidates may make a quick stop here, but they migrate more to larger battleground states.

However, West Virginia now has a chance to play a role in the 2016 national election. An intrepid group of business, government, education and community leaders has joined together to try to bring one of the Presidential or Vice-Presidential debates to the Clay Center in Charleston.

The organizers have spent months putting together the mammoth proposal.  Here are just a few of the most basic requirements:  a 17,000 square foot debate hall; parking for 40 TV trucks; a 20,000 square foot media filing center; 3,000 hotel rooms; extensive city services and security.

The application, which was submitted to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) Tuesday, runs more than 200 pages.  Charleston attorney Mike Stuart spearheaded the effort, but a lot of folks pitched in, including representatives of WVU and West Virginia State University.  The state’s two land-grant universities are the co-applicants for the debate.

“The result of months of work, our application to the Commission on Presidential Debates, is an important first step to hosting an event that is the Super Bowl of politics,” said Stuart.   Over the next six months, the CPD will review all the applications and make decisions on the locations by October or November.

A national debate would be an economic winner for the state as reporters, campaign staff and others descend on Charleston for the event.  Additionally, the co-sponsoring universities could build educational opportunities around the debate.

But perhaps more importantly, a Presidential debate would be historic for the Mountain State.  West Virginia has never hosted one nor even applied for the opportunity.

Congratulations to Stuart and the many people who worked together on the project, regardless of their political leaning.  They have managed to put our best foot forward and have given West Virginia an opportunity to make history.

 

 





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