CONTACT: Andrea Jones, ABC News, 202-222-6896 or 202-271-8057
Allen Sandubrae, Citadel Communications, 515-457-9645, ext.129
Lisa Lacher, Drake University, 515-271-3119 or lisa.lacher@drake.edu
All Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have confirmed their attendance at two ABC News and ABC5/WOI-TV live debates that will take place at Drake University in August.
The 90-minute forums, moderated by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos with additional questioning from David Yepsen of The Des Moines Register, will be held in Drake’s Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 2507 University Ave. The Republican debate will be Sunday, Aug. 5, and the Democratic debate will be Sunday, Aug. 19. The debates will begin at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time and air across the country as a special edition of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”
“Drake University has long had a powerful commitment to serving as a place where the community comes together to address the vital issues of the day,” said Drake University President David Maxwell. “It is an honor and a privilege for us to serve in this capacity on a national scale in hosting these two debates.”
The candidates confirmed to attend the Republican debate are: Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; California Congressman Duncan Hunter; Arizona Sen. John McCain; Texas Congressman Ron Paul; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney; Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo; and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.
The Democratic debate is co-sponsored with the Iowa Democratic Party and sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee. All eight candidates have confirmed: Delaware Sen. Joe Biden; New York Sen. Hillary Clinton; Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd; former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards; former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel; Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich; Illinois Sen. Barack Obama; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
“I think it’s terrific that we are able to continue our ‘On the Trail’ series in Iowa with two live programs from a state crucial to the election process,” said Stephanopoulos, anchor of “This Week” and ABC News chief Washington correspondent. “This is an historic election and I look forward to bringing our viewers the first and only presidential candidate forums on Sunday morning television.”
Raymond Cole, president and COO of Citadel Communications and chairman of the ABC Affiliates Board of Governors, said, “We are pleased that ABC News recognizes the unique role that Iowans play in the electoral process. Our stations in Des Moines and Sioux City, along with the other ABC stations serving the state, are proud to be partners in these special broadcasts from Iowa.”
Drake has received a limited number of tickets for each debate and they are being distributed to students, faculty and staff.