Centre's "Save the Debate" Campaign


"Save the Debate"

Centre College was deep into debate preparations when a Sept. 3 announcement by presidential candidate George Bush threw the debate schedule into question. Bush indicated his preference for a schedule and an approach to debates that differed markedly from the plans developed by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). The new proposal appeared to eliminate Centre as a debate site. Aware that candidates have the right to exercise their opinions and options about debates during each campaign cycle, Centre chose to mount an extensive media campaign to persuade the public -- and thereby the major candidates -- that the CPD schedule was solid.

Centre President John Roush issued a media advisory late in the day on Sept. 4, with three main points:

  1. Centre College and the town of Danville, Ky., had completed a competitive application process and had been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a vice presidential debate.
  2. The college had been preparing for more than a year and had so far invested over $700,000 as well as countless hours of labor.
  3. The debate at Centre would represent a special moment in American history: the first time that a nationally televised debate would originate in a small town (Danville has a population of around 17,000).

College officials distributed the advisory to reporters, editors, and producers across the country via e-mail and fax, then followed up with phone calls. The media responded favorably. Bruce Morton brought a CNN crew to town for two days, producing a piece that aired on “Inside Politics” on Sept. 11. Bob Edwards of National Public Radio did a segment on “Morning Edition.” Other national media responded to the story, including Reuters News Service, The Washington Post, ABC News, and Newsweek. Within the region, the saga of Centre and the debate became the number one story for Kentucky’s largest television stations and the state’s leading dailies.

Along with the media blitz, Centre sought help from political insiders, including members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation. Three Republican Congressmen were instrumental in supporting the college: Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, along with Representative Ernie Fletcher.

The actual impact of Centre’s “Save the Debate” campaign is difficult to assess, but the college community was jubilant when, on Thursday, Sept. 14, CPD representatives announced that leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties had agreed to the original debate schedule. President Roush announced the news at a campus press conference that turned into a jubilant pep rally.

Roush Media Advisory

CPD September 14 Advisory

Photos


Contacts in Centre College Communications Office


Centre College, 600 W. Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422